Form 485BPOS AMERICAN FUNDS MORTGAGE

October 31, 2019 1:37 PM UTC

 

SEC. File Nos. 333-168595

811-22449

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-1A

 

Registration Statement

Under

the Securities Act of 1933

Post-Effective Amendment No. 23

 

and

Registration Statement

Under

the Investment Company Act of 1940

Amendment No. 25

 

AMERICAN FUNDS MORTGAGE FUND

(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in charter)

 

6455 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, California 92618-4518

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:

(213) 486-9200

 

Steven I. Koszalka, Secretary

American Funds Mortgage Fund

333 South Hope Street

Los Angeles, California 90071-1406

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

Copies to:

Lea Anne Copenhefer

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

One Federal Street

Boston, MA 02110-1726

(Counsel for the Registrant)

 

Approximate date of proposed public offering:

It is proposed that this filing will become effective on November 1, 2019, pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485.

 

 
 

 

   
 

American Funds
Mortgage Fund®

Prospectus

November 1, 2019

 
                     
Class A C T F-1 F-2 F-3 529-A 529-C 529-E 529-T
  MFAAX MFACX TFMFX MFAEX MFAFX AFFMX CMFAX CMFCX CMFEX TMFMX
Class 529-F-1 R-1 R-2 R-2E R-3 R-4 R-5E R-5 R-6  
  CMFFX RMAAX RMABX RMBEX RMACX RMAEX RMAHX RMAFX RMAGX  

Beginning January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, we intend to no longer mail paper copies of the fund’s shareholder reports, unless specifically requested from American Funds by Capital Group or your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on our website (capitalgroup.com); you will be notified by mail and provided with a website link to access the report each time a report is posted. If you have already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and do not need to take any action. If you prefer to receive shareholder reports and other communications electronically, you may update your mailing preferences with your financial intermediary, or enroll in e-delivery at capitalgroup.com (for accounts held directly with the fund).

You may elect to receive paper copies of all future reports free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you invest directly with the fund, you may inform American Funds that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by contacting us at (800) 421-4225. Your election to receive paper reports will apply to all funds held with American Funds or through your financial intermediary.

 

 
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved of these securities. Further, it has not determined that this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


 
 

 

Table of contents

   
Investment objective 1
Fees and expenses of the fund 1
Principal investment strategies 3
Principal risks 4
Investment results 7
Management 9
Purchase and sale of fund shares 9
Tax information 9
Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries 9
Investment objective, strategies and risks 10
Management and organization 17
Shareholder information 19
Purchase, exchange and sale of shares 20
How to sell shares 26
Distributions and taxes 30
Choosing a share class 31
Sales charges 33
Sales charge reductions and waivers 37
Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs 45
Plans of distribution 47
Other compensation to dealers 48
Fund expenses 50
Financial highlights 52
Appendix 57

 


 
 

 

Investment objective The fund’s investment objective is to provide current income and preservation of capital.

Fees and expenses of the fund This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. In addition to the fees and expenses described below, you may also be required to pay brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of Class F-2 or F-3 shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in American Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional, in the “Sales charge reductions and waivers” sections on page 37 of the prospectus and on page 75 of the fund’s statement of additional information, and in the sales charge waiver appendix to this prospectus.

             
Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Share class: A and
529-A
C and
529-C
529-E T and
529-T
All F and 529-F share classes All R
share
classes
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) 3.75% none none 2.50% none none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) 1.001 1.00% none none none none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends none none none none none none
Redemption or exchange fees none none none none none none

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Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Share class: A C T F-1 F-2 F-3 529-A
Management fees 0.24% 0.24% 0.24% 0.24% 0.24% 0.24% 0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.25 1.00 0.25 0.25  none  none 0.24
Other expenses2 0.22 0.22 0.21 0.18 0.14 0.05 0.26
Total annual fund operating expenses 0.71 1.46 0.70 0.67 0.38 0.29 0.74
               
Share class: 529-C 529-E 529-T 529-F-1 R-1 R-2 R-2E
Management fees 0.24% 0.24% 0.24% 0.24% 0.24% 0.24% 0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 1.00 0.50 0.25 0.00 1.00 0.75 0.60
Other expenses2 0.27 0.21 0.25 0.26 0.20 0.40 0.34
Total annual fund operating expenses 1.51 0.95 0.74 0.50 1.44 1.39 1.18
Expense reimbursement 0.053
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement 1.51 0.95 0.74 0.50 1.44 1.39 1.13
               
Share class: R-3 R-4 R-5E R-5 R-6    
Management fees 0.24% 0.24% 0.24% 0.24% 0.24%    
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.50 0.25  none  none  none    
Other expenses2 0.24 0.16 0.23 0.10 0.04    
Total annual fund operating expenses 0.98 0.65 0.47 0.34 0.28    
Expense reimbursement 0.023    
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement 0.98 0.65 0.45 0.34 0.28    

1 A contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% applies on certain redemptions made within 18 months following purchases of $1 million or more made without an initial sales charge. Contingent deferred sales charge is calculated based on the lesser of the offering price and market value of shares being sold.

2 Restated to reflect current fees.

3  The investment adviser is currently reimbursing a portion of the other expenses. This reimbursement will be in effect through at least November 1, 2020. The adviser may elect at its discretion to extend, modify or terminate the reimbursement at that time.

2     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Example This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The example reflects the expense reimbursement described above through the expiration date of such reimbursement and total annual fund operating expenses thereafter. You may be required to pay brokerage commissions on your purchases and sales of Class F-2 or F-3 shares of the fund, which are not reflected in the example. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

                           
Share class: A C T F-1 F-2 F-3 529-A 529-C 529-E 529-T 529-F-1 R-1 R-2
1 year $ 445 $ 249 $ 320 $ 68 $ 39 $ 30 $ 448 $ 254 $ 97 $ 324 $ 51 $ 147 $ 142
3 years 594 462 468 214 122 93 603 477 303 481 160 456 440
5 years 755 797 630 373 213 163 771 824 525 651 280 787 761
10 years 1,224 1,746 1,099 835 480 368 1,259 1,802 1,166 1,145 628 1,724 1,669
                     
Share class: R-2E R-3 R-4 R-5E R-5 R-6 For the share classes listed to the right, you would pay the following if you did not redeem your shares: Share class: C 529-C
1 year $ 115 $ 100 $ 66 $ 46 $ 35 $ 29 1 year $ 149 $ 154
3 years 370 312 208 149 109 90 3 years 462 477
5 years 644 542 362 261 191 157 5 years 797 824
10 years 1,427 1,201 810 590 431 356 10 years 1,746 1,802

Portfolio turnover The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s investment results. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 605% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies Normally at least 80% of the fund’s assets will be invested in mortgage-related securities, including securities collateralized by mortgage loans and contracts for future delivery of such securities (such as to be announced contracts and mortgage dollar rolls). The fund will invest primarily in mortgage-related securities that are sponsored or guaranteed by the U.S. government, such as securities issued by government-sponsored entities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, and nongovernment mortgage-related securities that are rated in the Aaa or AAA rating category (by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations designated by the fund’s investment adviser) or unrated but determined to be of equivalent quality by the fund’s investment adviser. The fund may also invest in debt issued by federal agencies. In the case of to be announced contracts, each contract for future delivery is normally of short duration.

The fund may also invest in certain derivative instruments, such as futures contracts and swaps. A derivative is a financial contract, the value of which is based on the value of an underlying financial asset (such as a stock, bond or currency), a reference rate or a market index. The fund may invest in a derivative only if, in the opinion of the investment adviser, the expected risks and rewards of the proposed investment are consistent with the investment objective and strategies of the fund as disclosed in this prospectus and in the fund’s statement of additional information.

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     3


 
 

 

The investment adviser uses a system of multiple portfolio managers in managing the fund’s assets. Under this approach, the portfolio of the fund is divided into segments managed by individual managers.

The fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser to make decisions about the fund’s portfolio investments. The basic investment philosophy of the investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively priced securities that, in its opinion, represent good, long-term investment opportunities. The investment adviser believes that an important way to accomplish this is by analyzing various factors, which may include the credit strength of the issuer, prices of similar securities issued by comparable issuers, anticipated changes in interest rates, general market conditions and other factors pertinent to the particular security being evaluated. Securities may be sold when the investment adviser believes that they no longer represent relatively attractive investment opportunities.

Principal risks This section describes the principal risks associated with investing in the fund. You may lose money by investing in the fund. The likelihood of loss may be greater if you invest for a shorter period of time.

Investing in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities — Mortgage-related securities, such as mortgage-backed securities, and other asset-backed securities, include debt obligations that represent interests in pools of mortgages or other income-bearing assets, such as consumer loans or receivables. Such securities often involve risks that are different from or more acute than the risks associated with investing in other types of debt securities. Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are subject to changes in the payment patterns of borrowers of the underlying debt, potentially increasing the volatility of the securities and the fund’s net asset value. When interest rates fall, borrowers are more likely to refinance or prepay their debt before its stated maturity. This may result in the fund having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities, effectively reducing the fund’s income. Conversely, if interest rates rise and borrowers repay their debt more slowly than expected, the time in which the mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are paid off could be extended, reducing the fund’s cash available for reinvestment in higher yielding securities. Mortgage-backed securities are also subject to the risk that underlying borrowers will be unable to meet their obligations and the value of property that secures the mortgages may decline in value and be insufficient, upon foreclosure, to repay the associated loans. Investments in asset-backed securities are subject to similar risks.

Market conditions — The prices of, and the income generated by, the securities held by the fund may decline – sometimes rapidly or unpredictably – due to various factors, including events or conditions affecting the general economy or particular industries; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; governmental, governmental agency or central bank responses to economic conditions; and currency exchange rate, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.

Issuer risks — The prices of, and the income generated by, securities held by the fund may decline in response to various factors directly related to the issuers of such securities, including reduced demand for an issuer’s goods or services, poor management performance, major litigation related to the issuer, changes in government regulations affecting the issuer or its competitive environment and strategic initiatives

4     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

such as mergers, acquisitions or dispositions and the market response to any such initiatives.

Investing in debt instruments — The prices of, and the income generated by, bonds and other debt securities held by the fund may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in the effective maturities and credit ratings of these securities.

Rising interest rates will generally cause the prices of bonds and other debt securities to fall. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to sell debt securities on a large scale, which could also adversely affect the price and liquidity of debt securities and could also result in increased redemptions from the fund. Falling interest rates may cause an issuer to redeem, call or refinance a debt security before its stated maturity, which may result in the fund failing to recoup the full amount of its initial investment and having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities. Longer maturity debt securities generally have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates and may be subject to greater price fluctuations than shorter maturity debt securities.

Bonds and other debt securities are also subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that the credit strength of an issuer or guarantor will weaken or be perceived to be weaker, and/or an issuer of a debt security will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest and the security will go into default. A downgrade or default affecting any of the fund’s securities could cause the value of the fund’s shares to decrease. Lower quality debt securities generally have higher rates of interest and may be subject to greater price fluctuations than higher quality debt securities. Credit risk is gauged, in part, by the credit ratings of the debt securities in which the fund invests. However, ratings are only the opinions of the rating agencies issuing them and are not guarantees as to credit quality or an evaluation of market risk. The fund’s investment adviser relies on its own credit analysts to research issuers and issues in seeking to assess credit and default risks.

Liquidity risk — Certain fund holdings may be or may become difficult or impossible to sell, particularly during times of market turmoil. Liquidity may be impacted by the lack of an active market for a holding, legal or contractual restrictions on resale, or the reduced number and capacity of market participants to make a market in such holding. Market prices for less liquid or illiquid holdings may be volatile, and reduced liquidity may have an adverse impact on the market price of such holdings. Additionally, the sale of less liquid or illiquid holdings may involve substantial delays (including delays in settlement) and additional costs and the fund may be unable to sell such holdings when necessary to meet its liquidity needs or may be forced to sell at a loss.

Investing in securities backed by the U.S. government — Securities backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the U.S. government are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. Accordingly, the current market values for these securities will fluctuate with changes in interest rates and the credit rating of the U.S. government. Securities issued by government-sponsored entities and federal agencies and instrumentalities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. government.

Investing in future delivery contracts — The fund may enter into contracts, such as to-be-announced contracts and mortgage dollar rolls, that involve the fund selling mortgage-related securities and simultaneously contracting to repurchase similar securities for delivery at a future date at a predetermined price. This can increase the fund’s market exposure, and the market price of the securities that the fund contracts to repurchase

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     5


 
 

 

could drop below their purchase price. While the fund can preserve and generate capital through the use of such contracts by, for example, realizing the difference between the sale price and the future purchase price, the income generated by the fund may be reduced by engaging in such transactions. In addition, these transactions may increase the turnover rate of the fund.

Investing in inflation-linked bonds — The values of inflation-linked bonds generally fluctuate in response to changes in real interest rates — i.e., rates of interest after factoring in inflation. A rise in real interest rates may cause the prices of inflation-linked securities to fall, while a decline in real interest rates may cause the prices to increase. Inflation-linked bonds may experience greater losses than other debt securities with similar durations when real interest rates rise faster than nominal interest rates. There can be no assurance that the value of an inflation-linked security will be directly correlated to changes in interest rates; for example, if interest rates rise for reasons other than inflation, the increase may not be reflected in the security’s inflation measure.

Investing in inflation-linked bonds may also reduce the fund’s distributable income during periods of deflation. If prices for goods and services decline throughout the economy, the principal and income on inflation-linked securities may decline and result in losses to the fund.

Investing in derivatives — The use of derivatives involves a variety of risks, which may be different from, or greater than, the risks associated with investing in traditional securities, such as stocks and bonds. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with, and may be more sensitive to market events than, the underlying asset, rate or index, and a derivative instrument may expose the fund to losses in excess of its initial investment. Derivatives may be difficult to value, difficult for the fund to buy or sell at an opportune time or price and difficult, or even impossible, to terminate or otherwise offset. The fund’s use of derivatives may result in losses to the fund, and investing in derivatives may reduce the fund’s returns and increase the fund’s price volatility. The fund’s counterparty to a derivative transaction (including, if applicable, the fund’s clearing broker, the derivatives exchange or the clearinghouse) may be unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations in respect of the transaction. In certain cases, the fund may be hindered or delayed in exercising remedies against or closing out derivative instruments with a counterparty, which may result in additional losses.

Management — The investment adviser to the fund actively manages the fund’s investments. Consequently, the fund is subject to the risk that the methods and analyses, including models, tools and data, employed by the investment adviser in this process may be flawed or incorrect and may not produce the desired results. This could cause the fund to lose value or its investment results to lag relevant benchmarks or other funds with similar objectives.

It is important to note that neither your investment in the fund nor the fund’s yield is guaranteed by the U.S. government. Your investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, entity or person. You should consider how this fund fits into your overall investment program.

6     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Investment results The following bar chart shows how the fund’s investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compare with a broad measure of securities market results and other applicable measures of market results. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The Lipper Intermediate U.S. Government Funds Average includes mutual funds that disclose investment objectives and/or strategies reasonably comparable to those of the fund. The Lipper GNMA Funds Average includes funds that disclose investment objectives and/or strategies reasonably comparable to those of the fund. Past investment results (before and after taxes) are not predictive of future investment results. Updated information on the fund’s investment results can be obtained by visiting capitalgroup.com.

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     7


 
 

 

         
Average annual total returns For the periods ended December 31, 2018 (with maximum sales charge):
Share class Inception date 1 year 5 years Lifetime
A − Before taxes 11/1/2010 –3.28% 1.34% 1.47%
− After taxes on distributions   –3.98 0.50 0.66
− After taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares –1.95 0.66 0.80
         
Share classes (before taxes) Inception date 1 year 5 years Lifetime
C 11/1/2010 –1.19% 1.32% 1.14%
F-1 11/1/2010 0.47 2.11 1.92
F-2 11/1/2010 0.86 2.41 2.20
F-3 1/27/2017 0.86 N/A 1.16
529-A 11/1/2010 –3.26 1.29 1.39
529-C 11/1/2010 –1.34 1.25 1.07
529-E 11/1/2010 0.20 1.82 1.61
529-F-1 11/1/2010 0.65 2.26 2.07
R-1 11/1/2010 –0.28 1.57 1.46
R-2 11/1/2010 –0.25 1.30 1.21
R-2E 8/29/2014 0.17 N/A 1.31
R-3 11/1/2010 0.15 1.79 1.66
R-4 11/1/2010 0.50 2.17 1.97
R-5E 11/20/2015 0.70 N/A 1.41
R-5 11/1/2010 0.80 2.43 2.23
R-6 11/1/2010 0.86 2.50 2.29
       
Indexes 1 year 5 years Lifetime
(from Class A inception)
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Mortgage Backed Securities Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes) 0.99% 2.53% 2.34%
Lipper Intermediate U.S. Government Funds Average (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees or U.S. federal income taxes) 0.47 1.66 1.56
Lipper GNMA Funds Average (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees or U.S. federal income taxes) 0.41 1.65 1.71
Class A annualized 30-day yield at August 31, 2019: 1.78%
(For current yield information, please call American FundsLine® at (800) 325-3590.)

After-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares; after-tax returns for other share classes will vary. After-tax returns are calculated using the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect during each year of the periods shown and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation and likely will differ from the results shown above. In addition, after-tax returns are not relevant if you hold your fund shares through a tax-favored arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan, individual retirement account (IRA) or 529 college savings plan.

8     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Management

Investment adviser Capital Research and Management CompanySM
Portfolio managers The individuals primarily responsible for the portfolio management of the fund are:

     
Portfolio manager/
Fund title (if applicable)
Portfolio
manager
experience
in this fund
Primary title
with investment adviser
David J. Betanzos President 6 years Partner – Capital Fixed Income Investors
Fergus N. MacDonald Senior Vice President 9 years Partner – Capital Fixed Income Investors

Purchase and sale of fund shares The minimum amount to establish an account for all share classes is normally $250 and the minimum to add to an account is $50. For a payroll deduction retirement plan account, payroll deduction savings plan account or employer-sponsored 529 account, the minimum is $25 to establish or add to an account. For accounts with Class F-3 shares held and serviced by the fund’s transfer agent, the minimum investment amount is $1 million.

If you are a retail investor, you may sell (redeem) shares on any business day through your dealer or financial advisor or by writing to American Funds Service Company® at P.O. Box 6007, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6007; telephoning American Funds Service Company at (800) 421-4225; faxing American Funds Service Company at (888) 421-4351; or accessing our website at capitalgroup.com. Please contact your plan administrator or recordkeeper to sell (redeem) shares from your retirement plan.

Tax information Dividends and capital gain distributions you receive from the fund are subject to federal income taxes and may also be subject to state and local taxes, unless you are tax-exempt or your account is tax-favored.

Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and the fund’s distributor or its affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your individual financial advisor to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

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Investment objective, strategies and risks The fund’s investment objective is to provide current income and preservation of capital.

Normally at least 80% of the fund’s assets will be invested in mortgage-related securities. These include, but are not limited to, mortgage-backed securities, other securities collateralized by mortgage loans, as well as contracts for future delivery of such securities (such as to be announced contracts and mortgage dollar rolls). While it has no present intention to do so, the fund’s board may change this policy and the fund’s investment objective without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.

The fund will invest primarily in mortgage-related securities that are sponsored or guaranteed by the U.S. government, such as securities issued by government-sponsored entities and nongovernment mortgage-related securities that are rated in the Aaa or AAA rating category (by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations designated by the fund’s investment adviser) or unrated but determined to be of equivalent quality by the fund’s investment adviser. The fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities rated in the Aa/AA and A rating categories (by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations designated by the fund’s investment adviser) or securities that are unrated but determined to be of equivalent quality by the fund’s investment adviser. The fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States; however, all such securities will be U.S. dollar denominated. The fund may also invest in debt issued by federal agencies. In the case of to be announced contracts, each contract for future delivery is normally of short duration.

The fund may also invest in certain derivative instruments. A derivative is a financial contract, the value of which is based on the value of an underlying financial asset (such as a stock, bond or currency), a reference rate or a market index. The fund may invest in a derivative only if, in the opinion of the investment adviser, the expected risks and rewards of the proposed investment are consistent with the investment objective and strategies of the fund as disclosed in this prospectus and in the fund’s statement of additional information.

Among other derivative instrument types, the fund may invest in futures contracts and interest rate swaps in order to seek to manage the fund’s sensitivity to interest rates. A futures contract is a standardized exchange-traded agreement to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying asset, rate or index at an agreed-upon price at a stipulated future date. An interest rate swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange or swap payments based on changes in one or more interest rates, one of which is typically fixed and the other of which is typically a floating rate based on a designated short-term interest rate, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate, prime rate or other benchmark.

The fund may also hold cash or cash equivalents, including commercial paper and short-term securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities. The percentage of the fund invested in such holdings varies and depends on various factors, including market conditions and purchases and redemptions of fund shares. The investment adviser may determine that it is appropriate to invest a substantial portion of the fund’s assets in such instruments in response to certain circumstances, such as periods of market turmoil. In addition, for temporary defensive purposes, the fund may invest without limitation in cash, cash equivalents and/or U.S. Treasury securities. A larger percentage of such holdings could moderate the fund’s investment results in a

10     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

period of rising market prices. Alternatively, a larger percentage of such holdings could reduce the magnitude of the fund’s loss in a period of falling market prices and provide liquidity to make additional investments or to meet redemptions.

The fund’s daily cash balance may be invested in one or more money market or similar funds managed by the investment adviser or its affiliates (“Central Funds”). Shares of Central Funds are not offered to the public and are only purchased by the fund’s investment adviser and its affiliates and other funds, investment vehicles and accounts managed by the fund’s investment adviser and its affiliates. When investing in Central Funds, the fund bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the Central Funds in which it invests but does not bear additional management fees through its investment in such Central Funds. The investment results of the portions of the fund’s assets invested in the Central Funds will be based upon the investment results of the Central Funds.

The following are principal risks associated with the fund’s investment strategies.

Investing in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities — Mortgage-related securities, such as mortgage-backed securities, and other asset-backed securities, include debt obligations that represent interests in pools of mortgages or other income-bearing assets, such as residential mortgage loans, home equity loans, mortgages on commercial buildings, consumer loans and equipment leases. In addition to the risks associated with investments in debt instruments generally (for example, credit, extension and interest rate risks), such securities often involve risks that are different from or more acute than the risks associated with investing in other types of debt securities. Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are subject to changes in the payment patterns of borrowers of the underlying debt, potentially increasing the volatility of the securities and the fund’s net asset value. When interest rates fall, borrowers are more likely to refinance or prepay their debt before its stated maturity. This may result in the fund having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities, effectively reducing the fund’s income. Conversely, if interest rates rise and borrowers repay their debt more slowly than expected, the time in which the mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are paid off could be extended, reducing the fund’s cash available for reinvestment in higher yielding securities. Mortgage-backed securities are also subject to the risk that underlying borrowers will be unable to meet their obligations and the value of property that secures the mortgages may decline in value and be insufficient, upon foreclosure, to repay the associated loans. Investments in asset-backed securities are subject to similar risks, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets.

Market conditions — The prices of, and the income generated by, the securities held by the fund may decline – sometimes rapidly or unpredictably – due to various factors, including events or conditions affecting the general economy or particular industries; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; governmental, governmental agency or central bank responses to economic conditions; and currency exchange rate, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.

Economies and financial markets throughout the world are interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, wars, terrorism, cybersecurity events, natural disasters and other circumstances in one country or region could have impacts on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     11


 
 

 

affected, the value and liquidity of the fund’s investments may be negatively affected by developments in other countries and regions.

Issuer risks — The prices of, and the income generated by, securities held by the fund may decline in response to various factors directly related to the issuers of such securities, including reduced demand for an issuer’s goods or services, poor management performance, major litigation related to the issuer, changes in government regulations affecting the issuer or its competitive environment and strategic initiatives such as mergers, acquisitions or dispositions and the market response to any such initiatives.

Investing in debt instruments — The prices of, and the income generated by, bonds and other debt securities held by the fund may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in the effective maturities and credit ratings of these securities.

Rising interest rates will generally cause the prices of bonds and other debt securities to fall. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to sell debt securities on a large scale, which could also adversely affect the price and liquidity of debt securities and could also result in increased redemptions from the fund. Falling interest rates may cause an issuer to redeem, call or refinance a debt security before its stated maturity, which may result in the fund failing to recoup the full amount of its initial investment and having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities. Longer maturity debt securities generally have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates and may be subject to greater price fluctuations than shorter maturity debt securities.

Bonds and other debt securities are also subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that the credit strength of an issuer or guarantor will weaken or be perceived to be weaker, and/or an issuer of a debt security will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest and the security will go into default. A downgrade or default affecting any of the fund’s securities could cause the value of the fund’s shares to decrease. Lower quality debt securities generally have higher rates of interest and may be subject to greater price fluctuations than higher quality debt securities. Credit risk is gauged, in part, by the credit ratings of the debt securities in which the fund invests. However, ratings are only the opinions of the rating agencies issuing them and are not guarantees as to credit quality or an evaluation of market risk. The fund’s investment adviser relies on its own credit analysts to research issuers and issues in seeking to assess credit and default risks.

Liquidity risk — Certain fund holdings may be or may become difficult or impossible to sell, particularly during times of market turmoil. Liquidity may be impacted by the lack of an active market for a holding, legal or contractual restrictions on resale, or the reduced number and capacity of market participants to make a market in such holding. Market prices for less liquid or illiquid holdings may be volatile, and reduced liquidity may have an adverse impact on the market price of such holdings. Additionally, the sale of less liquid or illiquid holdings may involve substantial delays (including delays in settlement) and additional costs and the fund may be unable to sell such holdings when necessary to meet its liquidity needs or may be forced to sell at a loss.

Investing in securities backed by the U.S. government — Securities backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the U.S. government are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. Accordingly, the current market values for these securities will fluctuate with changes in interest rates and the credit rating of the U.S. government. Securities issued by government-sponsored entities

12     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

and federal agencies and instrumentalities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. government.

Investing in future delivery contracts — The fund may enter into contracts, such as to-be-announced contracts and mortgage dollar rolls, that involve the fund selling mortgage-related securities and simultaneously contracting to repurchase similar securities for delivery at a future date at a predetermined price. This can increase the fund’s market exposure, and the market price of the securities that the fund contracts to repurchase could drop below their purchase price. While the fund can preserve and generate capital through the use of such contracts by, for example, realizing the difference between the sale price and the future purchase price, the income generated by the fund may be reduced by engaging in such transactions. In addition, these transactions may increase the turnover rate of the fund.

Investing in inflation-linked bonds — The values of inflation-linked bonds generally fluctuate in response to changes in real interest rates — i.e., rates of interest after factoring in inflation. A rise in real interest rates may cause the prices of inflation-linked securities to fall, while a decline in real interest rates may cause the prices to increase. Inflation-linked bonds may experience greater losses than other debt securities with similar durations when real interest rates rise faster than nominal interest rates. There can be no assurance that the value of an inflation-linked security will be directly correlated to changes in interest rates; for example, if interest rates rise for reasons other than inflation, the increase may not be reflected in the security’s inflation measure.

Investing in inflation-linked bonds may also reduce the fund’s distributable income during periods of deflation. If prices for goods and services decline throughout the economy, the principal and income on inflation-linked securities may decline and result in losses to the fund.

Investing in derivatives — The use of derivatives involves a variety of risks, which may be different from, or greater than, the risks associated with investing in traditional securities, such as stocks and bonds. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with, and may be more sensitive to market events than, the underlying asset, rate or index, and a derivative instrument may expose the fund to losses in excess of its initial investment. Derivatives may be difficult to value, difficult for the fund to buy or sell at an opportune time or price and difficult, or even impossible, to terminate or otherwise offset. The fund’s use of derivatives may result in losses to the fund, and investing in derivatives may reduce the fund’s returns and increase the fund’s price volatility. The fund’s counterparty to a derivative transaction (including, if applicable, the fund’s clearing broker, the derivatives exchange or the clearinghouse) may be unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations in respect of the transaction. In certain cases, the fund may be hindered or delayed in exercising remedies against or closing out derivative instruments with a counterparty, which may result in additional losses.

Management — The investment adviser to the fund actively manages the fund’s investments. Consequently, the fund is subject to the risk that the methods and analyses, including models, tools and data, employed by the investment adviser in this process may be flawed or incorrect and may not produce the desired results. This could cause the fund to lose value or its investment results to lag relevant benchmarks or other funds with similar objectives.

The following are additional risks associated with investing in the fund.

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     13


 
 

 

Interest rate risk — The values and liquidity of the securities held by the fund may be affected by changing interest rates. For example, the values of these securities may decline when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates fall. Longer maturity debt securities generally have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates and may be subject to greater price fluctuations than shorter maturity debt securities. The fund may invest in variable and floating rate securities. When the fund holds variable or floating rate securities, a decrease in market interest rates will adversely affect the income received from such securities and the net asset value of the fund’s shares. Although the values of such securities are generally less sensitive to interest rate changes than those of other debt securities, the value of variable and floating rate securities may decline if their interest rates do not rise as quickly, or as much, as market interest rates. Conversely, floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. During periods of extremely low short-term interest rates, the fund may not be able to maintain a positive yield and, given the current low interest rate environment, risks associated with rising rates are currently heightened.

Investing in futures contracts — In addition to the risks generally associated with investing in derivative instruments, futures contracts are subject to the creditworthiness of the clearing organizations, exchanges and futures commission merchants with which the fund transacts. Additionally, although futures require only a small initial investment in the form of a deposit of initial margin, the amount of a potential loss on a futures contract could greatly exceed the initial amount invested. While futures contracts are generally liquid instruments, under certain market conditions futures may be deemed to be illiquid. For example, the fund may be temporarily prohibited from closing out its position in a futures contract if intraday price change limits or limits on trading volume imposed by the applicable futures exchange are triggered. If the fund is unable to close out a position on a futures contract, the fund would remain subject to the risk of adverse price movements until the fund is able to close out the futures position. The ability of the fund to successfully utilize futures contracts may depend in part upon the ability of the fund’s investment adviser to accurately forecast interest rates and other economic factors and to assess and predict the impact of such economic factors on the futures in which the fund invests. If the investment adviser incorrectly forecasts economic developments or incorrectly predicts the impact of such developments on the futures in which it invests, the fund could be exposed to the risk of loss.

Investing in swaps — Swaps, including interest rate swaps and credit default swap indices, or CDX, are subject to many of the risks generally associated with investing in derivative instruments. Additionally, although swaps require no or only a small initial investment in the form of a deposit of initial margin, the amount of a potential loss on a swap contract could greatly exceed the initial amount invested. The use of swaps involves the risk that the investment adviser will not accurately predict anticipated changes in interest rates or other economic factors, which may result in losses to the fund. If the fund enters into a bilaterally negotiated swap transaction, the counterparty may fail to perform in accordance with the terms of the swap agreement. If a counterparty defaults on its obligations under a swap agreement, the fund may lose any amount it expected to receive from the counterparty, potentially including amounts in excess of the fund’s initial investment. Certain swap transactions are subject to mandatory central clearing or may be eligible for voluntary central clearing. Although clearing interposes a central clearinghouse as the ultimate counterparty to each participant’s swap, central clearing will not eliminate (but may decrease) counterparty risk relative to uncleared bilateral

14     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

swaps. Some swaps, such as CDX, may be dependent on both the individual credit of the fund’s counterparty and on the credit of one or more issuers of any underlying assets. If the fund does not correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of its counterparty and, where applicable, of issuers of any underlying reference assets, the fund’s investment in a swap may result in losses to the fund.

Investing outside the United States — Securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States, or with significant operations or revenues outside the United States, may lose value because of adverse political, social, economic or market developments (including social instability, regional conflicts, terrorism and war) in the countries or regions in which the issuers operate or generate revenue. These securities may also lose value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar and/or currencies of other countries. Issuers of these securities may be more susceptible to actions of foreign governments, such as nationalization, currency blockage or the imposition of price controls or punitive taxes, each of which could adversely impact the value of these securities. Securities markets in certain countries may be more volatile and/or less liquid than those in the United States. Investments outside the United States may also be subject to different accounting practices and different regulatory, legal and reporting standards and practices, and may be more difficult to value, than those in the United States. In addition, the value of investments outside the United States may be reduced by foreign taxes, including foreign withholding taxes on interest and dividends. Further, there may be increased risks of delayed settlement of securities purchased or sold by the fund. The risks of investing outside the United States may be heightened in connection with investments in emerging markets.

Exposure to country, region, industry or sector — Subject to the fund’s investment limitations, the fund may have significant exposure to a particular country, region, industry or sector. Such exposure may cause the fund to be more impacted by risks relating to and developments affecting the country, region, industry or sector, and thus its net asset value may be more volatile, than a fund without such levels of exposure. For example, if the fund has significant exposure in a particular country, then social, economic, regulatory or other issues that negatively affect that country may have a greater impact on the fund than on a fund that is more geographically diversified.

In addition to the principal investment strategies described above, the fund has other investment practices that are described in the statement of additional information, which includes a description of other risks related to the fund’s principal investment strategies and other investment practices. The fund’s investment results will depend on the ability of the fund’s investment adviser to navigate the risks discussed above as well as those described in the statement of additional information.

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     15


 
 

 

Fund comparative indexes The investment results table in this prospectus shows how the fund’s average annual total returns compare with various broad measures of market results. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Mortgage Backed Securities Index is a market-value-weighted index that covers the mortgage-backed pass-through securities of Ginnie Mae (GNMA), Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FHLMC). This index is unmanaged, and its results include reinvested distributions but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes. The Lipper Intermediate U.S. Government Funds Average is composed of funds that invest primarily in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies, or its instrumentalities, with dollar-weighted average maturities of five to ten years. The results of the underlying funds in the average include reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the funds for portfolio transactions and other fund expenses, but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, account fees or U.S. federal income taxes. The Lipper GNMA Funds Average is composed of funds that invest primarily in Government National Mortgage Association securities. The results of the underlying funds in the averages include reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the funds for portfolio transactions and other fund expenses, but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, account fees or U.S. federal income taxes.

Fund results All fund results in this prospectus reflect the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, if any. Unless otherwise noted, fund results reflect any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements in effect during the periods presented.

16     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Management and organization

Investment adviser Capital Research and Management Company, an experienced investment management organization founded in 1931, serves as the investment adviser to the fund and other funds, including the American Funds. Capital Research and Management Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Capital Group Companies, Inc. and is located at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071. Capital Research and Management Company manages the investment portfolio and business affairs of the fund. The total management fee paid by the fund to its investment adviser for the most recent fiscal year, as a percentage of average net assets, appears in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table under “Fees and expenses of the fund.” As described more fully in the fund’s statement of additional information, the management fee is based on the daily net assets of the fund and the fund’s monthly gross investment income. A discussion regarding the basis for approval of the fund’s Investment Advisory and Service Agreement by the fund’s board of trustees is contained in the fund’s annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019.

Capital Research and Management Company manages equity assets through three equity investment divisions and fixed income assets through its fixed income investment division, Capital Fixed Income Investors. The three equity investment divisions — Capital International Investors, Capital Research Global Investors and Capital World Investors — make investment decisions independently of one another.

The equity investment divisions may, in the future, be incorporated as wholly owned subsidiaries of Capital Research and Management Company. In that event, Capital Research and Management Company would continue to be the investment adviser, and day-to-day investment management of equity assets would continue to be carried out through one or more of these subsidiaries. Although not currently contemplated, Capital Research and Management Company could incorporate its fixed income investment division in the future and engage it to provide day-to-day investment management of fixed income assets. Capital Research and Management Company and each of the funds it advises have received an exemptive order from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that allows Capital Research and Management Company to use, upon approval of the fund’s board, its management subsidiaries and affiliates to provide day-to-day investment management services to the fund, including making changes to the management subsidiaries and affiliates providing such services. There is no assurance that Capital Research and Management Company will incorporate its investment divisions or exercise any authority granted to it under the exemptive order.

Portfolio holdings Portfolio holdings information for the fund is available on our website at capitalgroup.com. A description of the fund’s policies and procedures regarding disclosure of information about its portfolio holdings is available in the statement of additional information.

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     17


 
 

 

The Capital SystemSM Capital Research and Management Company uses a system of multiple portfolio managers in managing mutual fund assets. Under this approach, the portfolio of a fund is divided into segments managed by individual managers. In addition, Capital Research and Management Company’s investment analysts may make investment decisions with respect to a portion of a fund’s portfolio. Investment decisions are subject to a fund’s objective(s), policies and restrictions and the oversight of the appropriate investment-related committees of Capital Research and Management Company and its investment divisions.

Certain senior members of Capital Fixed Income Investors, the investment adviser’s fixed income investment division, serve on the Portfolio Strategy Group. The group utilizes a research-driven process with input from the investment adviser’s analysts, portfolio managers and economists to define investment themes on a range of macroeconomic factors, including duration, yield curve and sector allocation. The investment decisions made by the fund’s portfolio managers are informed by the investment themes discussed by the group.

The table below shows the investment experience and role in management of the fund for each of the fund’s primary portfolio managers.

       
Portfolio manager Investment
experience
Experience
in this fund
Role in
management
of the fund
David J. Betanzos Investment professional for 19 years in total;
18 years with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate
6 years Serves as a fixed income portfolio manager
Fergus N. MacDonald Investment professional for 27 years in total;
16 years with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate
9 years Serves as a fixed income portfolio manager
 

Information regarding the portfolio managers’ compensation, their ownership of securities in the fund and other accounts they manage is in the statement of additional information.

18     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Certain privileges and/or services described on the following pages of this prospectus and in the statement of additional information may not be available to you, depending on your investment dealer or retirement plan recordkeeper. Please see your financial advisor, investment dealer or retirement plan recordkeeper for more information.

Shareholder information

Shareholder services American Funds Service Company, the fund’s transfer agent, offers a wide range of services that you can use to alter your investment program should your needs or circumstances change. These services may be terminated or modified at any time upon 60 days’ written notice.

A more detailed description of policies and services is included in the fund’s statement of additional information and the owner’s guide sent to new American Funds shareholders entitled Welcome. Class 529 shareholders should also refer to the applicable program description for information on policies and services relating specifically to their account(s). These documents are available by writing to or calling American Funds Service Company.

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Unless otherwise noted or unless the context requires otherwise, references on the following pages to (i) Class A, C, T or F-1 shares also refer to the corresponding Class 529-A, 529-C, 529-T or 529-F-1 shares, (ii) Class F shares refer to Class F-1, F-2 and F-3 shares and (iii) Class R shares refer to Class R-1, R-2, R-2E, R-3, R-4, R-5E, R-5 and R-6 shares.

Purchase, exchange and sale of shares The fund’s transfer agent, on behalf of the fund and American Funds Distributors,® the fund’s distributor, is required by law to obtain certain personal information from you or any other person(s) acting on your behalf in order to verify your or such person’s identity. If you do not provide the information, the transfer agent may not be able to open your account. If the transfer agent is unable to verify your identity or that of any other person(s) authorized to act on your behalf, or believes it has identified potentially criminal activity, the fund and American Funds Distributors reserve the right to close your account or take such other action they deem reasonable or required by law.

When purchasing shares, you should designate the fund or funds in which you wish to invest. Subject to the exception below, if no fund is designated, your money will be held uninvested (without liability to the transfer agent for loss of income or appreciation pending receipt of proper instructions) until investment instructions are received, but for no more than three business days. Your investment will be made at the net asset value (plus any applicable sales charge, in the case of Class A or Class T shares) next determined after investment instructions are received and accepted by the transfer agent. If investment instructions are not received, your money will be invested in Class A shares (or, if you are investing through a financial intermediary who offers only Class T shares, in Class T shares) of American Funds U.S. Government Money Market FundSM on the third business day after receipt of your investment.

If the amount of your cash investment is $10,000 or less, no fund is designated, and you made a cash investment (excluding exchanges) within the last 16 months, your money will be invested in the same proportion and in the same fund or funds and in the same class of shares in which your last cash investment was made.

Different procedures may apply to certain employer-sponsored arrangements, including, but not limited to, SEPs and SIMPLE IRAs.

20     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Valuing shares The net asset value of each share class of the fund is the value of a single share of that class. The fund calculates the net asset value each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading as of approximately 4 p.m. New York time, the normal close of regular trading. If, for example, the New York Stock Exchange closes at 1 p.m. New York time, the fund’s net asset value would still be determined as of 4 p.m. New York time. In this example, portfolio securities traded on the New York Stock Exchange would be valued at their closing prices unless the investment adviser determines that a “fair value” adjustment is appropriate due to subsequent events.

Equity securities are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations, and debt securities are valued primarily on the basis of prices from third-party pricing services. Futures contracts are valued primarily on the basis of settlement prices. The fund has adopted procedures for making fair value determinations if market quotations or prices from third-party pricing services, as applicable, are not readily available or are not considered reliable. For example, if events occur between the close of markets outside the United States and the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange that, in the opinion of the investment adviser, materially affect the value of any of the fund’s equity securities that trade principally in those international markets, those securities will be valued in accordance with fair value procedures. Similarly, fair value procedures may be employed if an issuer defaults on its debt securities and there is no market for its securities. Use of these procedures is intended to result in more appropriate net asset values and, where applicable, to reduce potential arbitrage opportunities otherwise available to short-term investors.

Your shares will be purchased at the net asset value (plus any applicable sales charge, in the case of Class A or Class T shares) or sold at the net asset value next determined after American Funds Service Company receives your request, provided that your request contains all information and legal documentation necessary to process the transaction. A contingent deferred sales charge may apply at the time you sell certain Class A and C shares.

Purchase of Class A and C shares You may generally open an account and purchase Class A and C shares by contacting any financial advisor (who may impose transaction charges in addition to those described in this prospectus) authorized to sell the fund’s shares. You may purchase additional shares in various ways, including through your financial advisor and by mail, telephone, the Internet and bank wire.

Automatic conversion of Class C and Class 529-C shares Class C shares automatically convert to Class F-1 shares and Class 529-C shares automatically convert to Class 529-A shares, in each case in the month of the 10-year anniversary of the purchase date. The Internal Revenue Service currently takes the position that such automatic conversions are not taxable. Should its position change, the automatic conversion feature may be suspended. If this were to happen, you would have the option of converting your Class C shares to Class F-1 shares or your Class 529-C shares to Class 529-A shares at the anniversary date described above. This exchange would be based on the relative net asset values of the two classes in question, without the imposition of a sales charge or fee, but you might face certain tax consequences as a result.

Purchase of Class F shares You may generally open an account and purchase Class F shares only through fee-based programs of investment dealers that have special agreements with the fund’s distributor, through financial intermediaries that have been

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     21


 
 

 

approved by, and that have special agreements with, the fund’s distributor to offer Class F shares to self-directed investment brokerage accounts that may charge a transaction fee, through certain registered investment advisors and through other intermediaries approved by the fund’s distributor. These intermediaries typically charge ongoing fees for services they provide. Intermediary fees are not paid by the fund and normally range from .75% to 1.50% of assets annually, depending on the services offered.

Class F-2 and F-3 shares may also be available on brokerage platforms of firms that have agreements with the fund’s distributor to offer such shares solely when acting as an agent for the investor. An investor transacting in Class F-2 or F-3 shares in these programs may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker. Shares of the fund are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.

In addition, Class F-3 shares are available to institutional investors, which include, but are not limited to, charitable organizations, governmental institutions and corporations. For accounts held and serviced by the fund’s transfer agent the minimum investment amount is $1 million.

Purchase of Class 529 shares Class 529 shares may be purchased only through an account established with a 529 college savings plan managed by Capital Group. You may open this type of account and purchase Class 529 shares by contacting any financial advisor (who may impose transaction charges in addition to those described in this prospectus) authorized to sell such an account. You may purchase additional shares in various ways, including through your financial advisor and by mail, telephone, the Internet and bank wire.

Class 529-E shares may be purchased only by employees participating through an eligible employer plan.

Accounts holding Class 529 shares are subject to a $10 account setup fee and an annual $10 account maintenance fee. These fees are waived until further notice.

Investors residing in any state may purchase Class 529 shares through an account established with a 529 college savings plan managed by Capital Group. Class 529-A, 529-C, 529-T and 529-F-1 shares are structured similarly to the corresponding Class A, C, T and F-1 shares. For example, the same initial sales charges apply to Class 529-A shares as to Class A shares.

Purchase of Class R shares Class R shares are generally available only to retirement plans established under Internal Revenue Code Sections 401(a), 403(b) or 457, and to nonqualified deferred compensation plans and certain voluntary employee benefit association and post-retirement benefit plans. Class R shares also are generally available only to retirement plans for which plan level or omnibus accounts are held on the books of the fund. Class R-5E, R-5 and R-6 shares are generally available only to fee-based programs or through retirement plan intermediaries. Class R-3 and Class R-5E shares are available through the American Funds SIMPLE IRA Plus Program and other similar programs. In addition, Class R-5 and R-6 shares are available for investment by other registered investment companies approved by the fund’s investment adviser or distributor. Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, Class R shares are not available to retail nonretirement accounts; traditional and Roth individual retirement

22     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

accounts (IRAs); Coverdell Education Savings Accounts; SEPs, SARSEPs and SIMPLE IRAs held in brokerage accounts; and 529 college savings plans. Class R-6 shares are available to employer-sponsored SEPs, SARSEPs and SIMPLE IRAs held in fee-based programs that are serviced through retirement plan recordkeepers.

Purchases by employer-sponsored retirement plans Eligible retirement plans generally may open an account and purchase Class A or R shares by contacting any investment dealer (who may impose transaction charges in addition to those described in this prospectus) authorized to sell these classes of the fund’s shares. Some or all R share classes may not be available through certain investment dealers. Additional shares may be purchased through a plan’s administrator or recordkeeper.

Class A shares are generally not available for retirement plans using the PlanPremier® or Recordkeeper Direct® recordkeeping programs. These programs are proprietary recordkeeping solutions for small retirement plans.

Employer-sponsored retirement plans that are eligible to purchase Class R shares may instead purchase Class A shares and pay the applicable Class A sales charge, provided that their recordkeepers can properly apply a sales charge on plan investments. These plans are not eligible to make initial purchases of $1 million or more in Class A shares and thereby invest in Class A shares without a sales charge, nor are they eligible to establish a statement of intention that qualifies them to purchase Class A shares without a sales charge. More information about statements of intention can be found under “Sales charge reductions and waivers” in this prospectus. Plans investing in Class A shares with a sales charge may purchase additional Class A shares in accordance with the sales charge table in this prospectus.

Employer-sponsored retirement plans that invested in American Funds Class A shares without any sales charge before April 1, 2004, and that continue to meet the eligibility requirements in effect as of that date for purchasing Class A shares at net asset value, may continue to purchase American Funds Class A shares without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge.

A 403(b) plan may not invest in American Funds Class A or C shares unless it was invested in Class A or C shares before January 1, 2009.

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     23


 
 

 

Purchase minimums and maximums Purchase minimums described in this prospectus may be waived in certain cases. In addition, the fund reserves the right to redeem the shares of any shareholder for their then current net asset value per share if the shareholder’s aggregate investment in the fund falls below the fund’s minimum initial investment amount. See the statement of additional information for details.

For accounts established with an automatic investment plan, the initial purchase minimum of $250 may be waived if the purchases (including purchases through exchanges from another fund) made under the plan are sufficient to reach $250 within five months of account establishment.

The effective purchase maximums for Class 529-A, 529-C, 529-E, 529-T and 529-F-1 shares will reflect the maximum applicable contribution limits under state law. See the applicable program description for more information.

The purchase maximum for Class C shares is $500,000 per transaction. In addition, if you have significant American Funds holdings, you may not be eligible to invest in Class C or 529-C shares. Specifically, you may not purchase Class C or 529-C shares if you are eligible to purchase Class A or 529-A shares at the $1 million or more sales charge discount rate (that is, at net asset value). See “Sales charge reductions and waivers” in this prospectus and the statement of additional information for more details regarding sales charge discounts.

24     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Exchange Except for Class T shares or as otherwise described in this prospectus, you may exchange your shares for shares of the same class of other American Funds without a sales charge. Class A, C, T or F-1 shares of any American Fund (other than American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund, as described below) may be exchanged for the corresponding 529 share class without a sales charge. Exchanges from Class A, C, T or F-1 shares to the corresponding 529 share class, particularly in the case of Uniform Gifts to Minors Act or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act custodial accounts, may result in significant legal and tax consequences, as described in the applicable program description. Please consult your financial advisor before making such an exchange.

Except as indicated above, Class T shares are not eligible for exchange privileges. Accordingly, an exchange of your Class T shares for Class T shares of any other American Fund will normally be subject to any applicable sales charges.

Exchanges of shares from American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund initially purchased without a sales charge to shares of another American Fund will be subject to the appropriate sales charge applicable to the other fund, unless the American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund shares were acquired by an exchange from a fund having a sales charge or by reinvestment or cross-reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions. For purposes of computing the contingent deferred sales charge on Class C shares, the length of time you have owned your shares will be measured from the first day of the month in which shares were purchased and will not be affected by any permitted exchange.

Exchanges have the same tax consequences as ordinary sales and purchases. For example, to the extent you exchange shares held in a taxable account that are worth more now than what you paid for them, the gain will be subject to taxation.

See “Transactions by telephone, fax or the Internet” in the section “How to sell shares” of this prospectus for information regarding electronic exchanges.

Please see the statement of additional information for details and limitations on moving investments in certain share classes to different share classes and on moving investments held in certain accounts to different accounts.

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     25


 
 

 

How to sell shares

You may sell (redeem) shares in any of the following ways:

Employer-sponsored retirement plans

Shares held in eligible retirement plans may be sold through the plan’s administrator or recordkeeper.

Through your dealer or financial advisor (certain charges may apply)

· Shares held for you in your dealer’s name must be sold through the dealer.

· Class F shares must be sold through intermediaries such as dealers or financial advisors.

Writing to American Funds Service Company

· Requests must be signed by the registered shareholder(s).

· A signature guarantee is required if the redemption is:

— more than $125,000;

— made payable to someone other than the registered shareholder(s); or

— sent to an address other than the address of record or to an address of record that has been changed within the previous 10 days.

· American Funds Service Company reserves the right to require signature guarantee(s) on any redemption.

· Additional documentation may be required for redemptions of shares held in corporate, partnership or fiduciary accounts.

Telephoning or faxing American Funds Service Company or using the Internet

·  Redemptions by telephone, fax or the Internet (including American FundsLine and capitalgroup.com) are limited to $125,000 per American Funds shareholder each day.

· Checks must be made payable to the registered shareholder.

· Checks must be mailed to an address of record that has been used with the account for at least 10 days.

The fund typically expects to remit redemption proceeds one business day following receipt and acceptance of a redemption order, regardless of the method the fund uses to make such payment (e.g., check, wire or automated clearing house transfer). However, payment may take longer than one business day and may take up to seven days as generally permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”). Under the 1940 Act, the fund may be permitted to pay redemption proceeds beyond seven days under certain limited circumstances. In addition, if you recently purchased shares and subsequently request a redemption of those shares, the fund will pay the available redemption proceeds once a sufficient period of time has passed to reasonably ensure that checks or drafts, including certified or cashier’s checks, for the shares purchased have cleared (normally seven business days from the purchase date).

Under normal conditions, the fund typically expects to meet shareholder redemptions by monitoring the fund’s portfolio and redemption activities and by regularly holding a reserve of highly liquid assets, such as cash or cash equivalents. The fund may use additional methods to meet shareholder redemptions, if they become necessary. These methods may include, but are not limited to, the sale of portfolio assets, the use of

26     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

overdraft protection afforded by the fund’s custodian bank, borrowing from a line of credit or from other funds advised by the investment adviser or its affiliates, and making payment with fund securities or other fund assets rather than in cash (as further discussed in the following paragraph).

Although payment of redemptions normally will be in cash, the fund’s declaration of trust permits payment of the redemption price wholly or partly with portfolio securities or other fund assets under conditions and circumstances determined by the fund’s board of trustees. On the same redemption date, some shareholders may be paid in whole or in part in securities (which may differ among those shareholders), while other shareholders may be paid entirely in cash. In general, in-kind redemptions to affiliated shareholders will as closely as practicable represent the affiliated shareholder’s pro rata share of the fund’s securities, subject to certain exceptions. Securities distributed in-kind to unaffiliated shareholders will be selected by the investment adviser in a manner the investment adviser deems to be fair and reasonable to the fund’s shareholders. The disposal of the securities received in-kind may be subject to brokerage costs and, until sold, such securities remain at market risk and liquidity risk, including the risk that such securities are or become difficult to sell. If the fund pays your redemption with illiquid or less liquid securities, you will bear the risk of not being able to sell such securities.

Transactions by telephone, fax or the Internet Generally, you are automatically eligible to redeem or exchange shares by telephone, fax or the Internet, unless you notify us in writing that you do not want any or all of these services. You may reinstate these services at any time.

Unless you decide not to have telephone, fax or Internet services on your account(s), you agree to hold the fund, American Funds Service Company, any of its affiliates or mutual funds managed by such affiliates, and each of their respective directors, trustees, officers, employees and agents harmless from any losses, expenses, costs or liabilities (including attorney fees) that may be incurred in connection with the exercise of these privileges, provided that American Funds Service Company employs reasonable procedures to confirm that the instructions received from any person with appropriate account information are genuine. If reasonable procedures are not employed, American Funds Service Company and/or the fund may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions.

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     27


 
 

 

Frequent trading of fund shares The fund and American Funds Distributors reserve the right to reject any purchase order for any reason. The fund is not designed to serve as a vehicle for frequent trading. Frequent trading of fund shares may lead to increased costs to the fund and less efficient management of the fund’s portfolio, potentially resulting in dilution of the value of the shares held by long-term shareholders. Accordingly, purchases, including those that are part of exchange activity, that the fund or American Funds Distributors has determined could involve actual or potential harm to the fund may be rejected.

The fund, through its transfer agent, American Funds Service Company, maintains surveillance procedures that are designed to detect frequent trading in fund shares. Under these procedures, various analytics are used to evaluate factors that may be indicative of frequent trading. For example, transactions in fund shares that exceed certain monetary thresholds may be scrutinized. American Funds Service Company also may review transactions that occur close in time to other transactions in the same account or in multiple accounts under common ownership or influence. Trading activity that is identified through these procedures or as a result of any other information available to the fund will be evaluated to determine whether such activity might constitute frequent trading. These procedures may be modified from time to time as appropriate to improve the detection of frequent trading, to facilitate monitoring for frequent trading in particular retirement plans or other accounts and to comply with applicable laws.

In addition to the fund’s broad ability to restrict potentially harmful trading as described above, the fund’s board of trustees has adopted a “purchase blocking policy” under which any shareholder redeeming shares having a value of $5,000 or more from a fund will be precluded from investing in that fund for 30 calendar days after the redemption transaction. This policy also applies to redemptions and purchases that are part of exchange transactions. Under the fund’s purchase blocking policy, certain purchases will not be prevented and certain redemptions will not trigger a purchase block, such as:

· purchases and redemptions of shares having a value of less than $5,000;

· transactions in Class 529 shares;

· purchases and redemptions by investment companies managed or sponsored by the fund’s investment adviser or its affiliates, including reallocations and transactions allowing the investment company to meet its redemptions and purchases;

· retirement plan contributions, loans and distributions (including hardship withdrawals) identified as such on the retirement plan recordkeeper’s system;

· purchases and redemptions in community foundation accounts;

· purchase transactions involving in-kind transfers of shares of the fund, rollovers, Roth IRA conversions and IRA recharacterizations, if the entity maintaining the shareholder account is able to identify the transaction as one of these types of transactions; and

· systematic redemptions and purchases, if the entity maintaining the shareholder account is able to identify the transaction as a systematic redemption or purchase.

Generally, purchases and redemptions will not be considered “systematic” unless the transaction is prescheduled for a specific date.

The fund reserves the right to waive the purchase blocking policy with respect to specific shareholder accounts if American Funds Service Company determines that its

28     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

surveillance procedures are adequate to detect frequent trading in fund shares in such accounts.

American Funds Service Company will work with certain intermediaries (such as investment dealers holding shareholder accounts in street name, retirement plan recordkeepers, insurance company separate accounts and bank trust companies) to apply their own procedures, provided that American Funds Service Company believes the intermediary’s procedures are reasonably designed to enforce the frequent trading policies of the fund. You should refer to disclosures provided by the intermediaries with which you have an account to determine the specific trading restrictions that apply to you.

If American Funds Service Company identifies any activity that may constitute frequent trading, it reserves the right to contact the intermediary and request that the intermediary either provide information regarding an account owner’s transactions or restrict the account owner’s trading. If American Funds Service Company is not satisfied that the intermediary has taken appropriate action, American Funds Service Company may terminate the intermediary’s ability to transact in fund shares.

There is no guarantee that all instances of frequent trading in fund shares will be prevented.

Notwithstanding the fund’s surveillance procedures and purchase blocking policy described above, all transactions in fund shares remain subject to the right of the fund, American Funds Distributors and American Funds Service Company to restrict potentially abusive trading generally, including the types of transactions described above that will not be prevented or trigger a block under the purchase blocking policy. See the statement of additional information for more information about how American Funds Service Company may address other potentially abusive trading activity in American Funds.

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     29


 
 

 

Distributions and taxes

Dividends and distributions The fund declares daily dividends from net investment income and distributes the accrued dividends, which may fluctuate, to you each month. Generally, dividends begin accruing on the day payment for shares is received by the fund or American Funds Service Company.

Capital gains, if any, are usually distributed in December. When a capital gain is distributed, the net asset value per share is reduced by the amount of the payment.

You may elect to reinvest dividends and/or capital gain distributions to purchase additional shares of this fund or other American Funds, or you may elect to receive them in cash. Dividends and capital gain distributions for 529 share classes and retirement plan shareholders will be reinvested automatically.

Taxes on dividends and distributions For federal tax purposes, dividends and distributions of short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income. The fund’s distributions of net long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains. Any dividends or capital gain distributions you receive from the fund will normally be taxable to you when made, regardless of whether you reinvest dividends or capital gain distributions or receive them in cash.

Dividends and capital gain distributions that are automatically reinvested in a tax-favored retirement or education savings account do not result in federal or state income tax at the time of reinvestment.

Taxes on transactions Your redemptions, including exchanges, may result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes. A capital gain or loss on your investment is the difference between the cost of your shares, including any sales charges, and the amount you receive when you sell them.

Exchanges within a tax-favored retirement plan account will not result in a capital gain or loss for federal or state income tax purposes. With limited exceptions, distributions from a retirement plan account are taxable as ordinary income.

Shareholder fees Fees borne directly by the fund normally have the effect of reducing a shareholder’s taxable income on distributions.

Please see your tax advisor for more information. Holders of Class 529 shares should refer to the applicable program description for more information regarding the tax consequences of selling Class 529 shares.

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Choosing a share class The fund offers different classes of shares through this prospectus. The services or share classes available to you may vary depending upon how you wish to purchase shares of the fund.

Each share class represents an investment in the same portfolio of securities, but each class has its own sales charge and expense structure, allowing you to choose the class that best fits your situation. For example, while Class F-1 shares are subject to 12b-1 fees and subtransfer agency fees payable to third-party service providers, Class F-2 shares are subject only to subtransfer agency fees payable to third-party service providers (and not 12b-1 fees) and Class F-3 shares are not subject to any such additional fees. The different fee structures allow the investor to choose how to pay for advisory platform expenses. Class R shares offer different levels of 12b-1 and recordkeeping fees so that a plan can choose the class that best meets the cost associated with obtaining investment related services and participant level recordkeeping for the plan. When you purchase shares of the fund for an individual-type account, you should choose a share class. If none is chosen, your investment will be made in Class A shares or, in the case of a 529 plan investment, Class 529-A shares (or, if you are investing through a financial intermediary who offers only Class T and 529-T shares, your investment will be made in Class T or Class 529-T shares, as applicable).

Factors you should consider when choosing a class of shares include:

· how long you expect to own the shares;

· how much you intend to invest;

· total expenses associated with owning shares of each class;

· whether you qualify for any reduction or waiver of sales charges (for example, Class A or 529-A or Class T or 529-T shares may be a less expensive option over time, particularly if you qualify for a sales charge reduction or waiver);

· whether you want or need the flexibility to effect exchanges among American Funds without the imposition of a sales charge (for example, while Class A shares offer such exchange privileges, Class T shares do not);

· whether you plan to take any distributions in the near future (for example, the contingent deferred sales charge will not be waived if you sell your Class 529-C shares to cover higher education expenses); and

· availability of share classes:

— Class C shares are not available to retirement plans that do not currently invest in such shares and that are eligible to invest in Class R shares, including retirement plans established under Internal Revenue Code Sections 401(a) (including 401(k) plans), 403(b) or 457;

— Class F and 529-F-1 shares are available (i) to fee-based programs of investment dealers that have special agreements with the fund’s distributor, (ii) to financial intermediaries that have been approved by, and that have special agreements with, the fund’s distributor to offer Class F and 529-F-1 shares to self-directed investment brokerage accounts that may charge a transaction fee, (iii) to certain registered investment advisors and (iv) to other intermediaries approved by the fund’s distributor;

—  Class F-3 shares are also available to institutional investors, which include, but are not limited to, charitable organizations, governmental institutions and

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     31


 
 

 

corporations. For accounts held and serviced by the fund’s transfer agent the minimum investment amount is $1 million; and

— Class R shares are available (i) to retirement plans established under Internal Revenue Code Sections 401(a) (including 401(k) plans), 403(b) or 457, (ii) to nonqualified deferred compensation plans and certain voluntary employee benefit association and post-retirement benefit plans, (iii) to certain institutional investors (including, but not limited to, certain charitable organizations), (iv) to certain registered investment companies approved by the fund’s investment adviser or distributor and (v) to other institutional-type accounts.

Each investor’s financial considerations are different. You should speak with your financial advisor to help you decide which share class is best for you.

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Sales charges

Class A shares The initial sales charge you pay each time you buy Class A shares differs depending upon the amount you invest and may be reduced or eliminated for larger purchases as indicated below. The “offering price,” the price you pay to buy shares, includes any applicable sales charge, which will be deducted directly from your investment. Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions are not subject to an initial sales charge.

       
  Sales charge as a percentage of:  
Investment Offering price Net amount
invested
Dealer commission
as a percentage
of offering price
Less than $100,000 3.75% 3.90% 3.00%
$100,000 but less than $250,000 3.50 3.63 2.75
$250,000 but less than $500,000 2.50 2.56 2.00
$500,000 but less than $750,000 2.00 2.04 1.60
$750,000 but less than $1 million 1.50 1.52 1.20
$1 million or more and certain other investments described below none none see below

The sales charge, expressed as a percentage of the offering price or the net amount invested, may be higher or lower than the percentages described in the table above due to rounding. This is because the dollar amount of the sales charge is determined by subtracting the net asset value of the shares purchased from the offering price, which is calculated to two decimal places using standard rounding criteria. The impact of rounding will vary with the size of the investment and the net asset value of the shares. Similarly, any contingent deferred sales charge paid by you on investments in Class A shares may be higher or lower than the 1% charge described below due to rounding.

Except as provided below, investments in Class A shares of $1 million or more will be subject to a 1% contingent deferred sales charge if the shares are sold within 18 months of purchase. The contingent deferred sales charge is based on the original purchase cost or the current market value of the shares being sold, whichever is less. Class A shares purchased before August 14, 2017 are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge period of 12 months.

Class A share purchases not subject to sales charges The following investments are not subject to any initial or contingent deferred sales charge if American Funds Service Company is properly notified of the nature of the investment:

·  investments made by accounts that are part of qualified fee-based programs that purchased Class A shares before the discontinuation of the relevant investment dealer’s load-waived Class A share program with American Funds and that continue to be held through fee-based programs;

·  rollover investments from retirement plans to IRAs that are described in the “Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs” section of this prospectus; and

·  investments made by accounts held at American Funds Service Company that are no longer associated with a financial advisor may invest in Class A shares without a sales charge. This includes retirement plans investing in Class A shares, where the plan is no longer associated with a financial advisor. SIMPLE IRAs and 403(b) custodial accounts

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     33


 
 

 

that are aggregated at the plan level for Class A sales charge purposes are not eligible to invest without a sales charge under this policy.

The distributor may pay dealers a commission of up to 1% on investments made in Class A shares with no initial sales charge. The fund may reimburse the distributor for these payments through its plans of distribution (see “Plans of distribution” in this prospectus).

A transfer from the Virginia Prepaid Education ProgramSM or the Virginia Education Savings TrustSM to a CollegeAmerica account will be made with no sales charge. No commission will be paid to the dealer on such a transfer. Investment dealers will be compensated solely with an annual service fee that begins to accrue immediately.

If requested, American Funds Class A shares will be sold at net asset value to:

(1) currently registered representatives and assistants directly employed by such representatives, retired registered representatives with respect to accounts established while active, or full-time employees (collectively, “Eligible Persons”) (and their (a) spouses or equivalents if recognized under local law, (b) parents and children, including parents and children in step and adoptive relationships, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, and (c) parents-in-law, if the Eligible Persons or the spouses, children or parents of the Eligible Persons are listed in the account registration with the parents-in-law) of dealers who have sales agreements with American Funds Distributors (or who clear transactions through such dealers), plans for the dealers, and plans that include as participants only the Eligible Persons, their spouses, parents and/or children;

(2) the supervised persons of currently registered investment advisory firms (“RIAs”) and assistants directly employed by such RIAs, retired supervised persons of RIAs with respect to accounts established while a supervised person (collectively, “Eligible Persons”) (and their (a) spouses or equivalents if recognized under local law, (b) parents and children, including parents and children in step and adoptive relationships, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law and (c) parents-in-law, if the Eligible Persons or the spouses, children or parents of the Eligible Persons are listed in the account registration with the parents-in-law) of RIA firms that are authorized to sell shares of the funds, plans for the RIA firms, and plans that include as participants only the Eligible Persons, their spouses, parents and/or children;

(3) insurance company separate accounts;

(4) accounts managed by subsidiaries of The Capital Group Companies, Inc.;

(5) an individual or entity with a substantial business relationship with The Capital Group Companies, Inc. or its affiliates, or an individual or entity related or relating to such individual or entity;

(6) wholesalers and full-time employees directly supporting wholesalers involved in the distribution of insurance company separate accounts whose underlying investments are managed by any affiliate of The Capital Group Companies, Inc.;

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(7) full-time employees of banks that have sales agreements with American Funds Distributors who are solely dedicated to directly supporting the sale of mutual funds; and

(8) current or former clients of Capital Group Private Client Services and their family members who purchase their shares through Capital Group Private Client Services or American Funds Service Company.

Shares are offered at net asset value to these persons and organizations due to anticipated economies in sales effort and expense. Once an account is established under this net asset value privilege, additional investments can be made at net asset value for the life of the account. Depending on the financial intermediary holding your account, these privileges may be unavailable. Investors should consult their financial intermediary for further information.

Certain other investors may qualify to purchase shares without a sales charge, such as employees of The Capital Group Companies, Inc. and its affiliates. Please see the statement of additional information for further details.

Class C shares Class C shares are sold without any initial sales charge. American Funds Distributors pays 1% of the amount invested to dealers who sell Class C shares. A contingent deferred sales charge of 1% applies if Class C shares are sold within one year of purchase. The contingent deferred sales charge is eliminated one year after purchase.

Any contingent deferred sales charge paid by you on sales of Class C shares, expressed as a percentage of the applicable redemption amount, may be higher or lower than the percentages described above due to rounding.

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     35


 
 

 

Class T shares The initial sales charge you pay each time you buy Class T shares differs depending upon the amount you invest and may be reduced for larger purchases as indicated below. The “offering price,” the price you pay to buy shares, includes any applicable sales charge, which will be deducted directly from your investment. Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions are not subject to an initial sales charge.

     
  Sales charge as a
percentage of:
Investment Offering price Net amount
invested
Less than $250,000 2.50% 2.56%
$250,000 but less than $500,000 2.00 2.04
$500,000 but less than $1 million 1.50 1.52
$1 million or more 1.00 1.01

The sales charge, expressed as a percentage of the offering price or the net amount invested, may be higher or lower than the percentages described in the table above due to rounding. This is because the dollar amount of the sales charge is determined by subtracting the net asset value of the shares purchased from the offering price, which is calculated to two decimal places using standard rounding criteria. The impact of rounding will vary with the size of the investment and the net asset value of the shares.

Class 529-E and Class F shares Class 529-E and Class F shares (including Class 529-F-1 shares) are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge.

Class R shares Class R shares are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge. The distributor will pay dealers annually asset-based compensation of up to 1.00% for sales of Class R-1 shares, up to .75% for Class R-2 shares, up to .60% for Class R-2E shares, up to .50% for Class R-3 shares and up to .25% for Class R-4 shares. No dealer compensation is paid from fund assets on sales of Class R-5E, R-5 or R-6 shares. The fund may reimburse the distributor for these payments through its plans of distribution.

See “Plans of distribution” in this prospectus for ongoing compensation paid to your dealer or financial advisor for all share classes.

Contingent deferred sales charges Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. In addition, the contingent deferred sales charge may be waived in certain circumstances. See “Contingent deferred sales charge waivers” in the “Sales charge reductions and waivers” section of this prospectus. For purposes of determining the contingent deferred sales charge, if you sell only some of your shares, shares that are not subject to any contingent deferred sales charge will be sold first, followed by shares that you have owned the longest.

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Sales charge reductions and waivers To receive a reduction in your Class A initial sales charge, you must let your financial advisor or American Funds Service Company know at the time you purchase shares that you qualify for such a reduction. If you do not let your advisor or American Funds Service Company know that you are eligible for a reduction, you may not receive the sales charge discount to which you are otherwise entitled. In order to determine your eligibility to receive a sales charge discount, it may be necessary for you to provide your advisor or American Funds Service Company with information and records (including account statements) of all relevant accounts invested in American Funds. You may need to invest directly through American Funds Service Company in order to receive the sales charge waivers described in this prospectus. Investors should consult their financial intermediary for further information. Certain financial intermediaries that distribute shares of American Funds may impose different sales charge waivers than those described in this prospectus. Such variations in sales charge waivers are described in an appendix to this prospectus titled “Sales charge waivers.” Note that such sales charge waivers and discounts offered through a particular intermediary, as set forth in the appendix to this prospectus, are implemented and administered solely by that intermediary. Please contact the applicable intermediary to ensure that you understand the steps you must take in order to qualify for any available waivers or discounts.

In addition to the information in this prospectus, you may obtain more information about share classes, sales charges and sales charge reductions and waivers through a link on the home page of our website at capitalgroup.com, from the statement of additional information or from your financial advisor.

Reducing your Class A initial sales charge Consistent with the policies described in this prospectus, you and your “immediate family” (your spouse — or equivalent, if recognized under local law, your children under the age of 21 or disabled adult dependents covered by ABLE accounts) may combine all of your American Funds investments to reduce Class A sales charges. In addition, two or more retirement plans of an employer or an employer’s affiliates may combine all of their American Funds investments to reduce Class A sales charges. However, for this purpose, investments representing direct purchases of American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund Class A shares are excluded. Following are different ways that you may qualify for a reduced Class A sales charge:

Aggregating accounts To receive a reduced Class A sales charge, investments made by you and your immediate family (see above) may be aggregated if made for your own account(s) and/or certain other accounts, such as:

· individual-type employee benefit plans, such as an IRA, single-participant Keogh-type plan, or a participant account of a 403(b) plan that is treated as an individual-type plan for sales charge purposes (see “Purchases by certain 403(b) plans” under “Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs” below);

· SEP plans and SIMPLE IRA plans established after November 15, 2004, by an employer adopting any plan document other than a prototype plan produced by American Funds Distributors;

· business accounts solely controlled by you or your immediate family (for example, you own the entire business);

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     37


 
 

 

· trust accounts established by you or your immediate family (for trusts with only one primary beneficiary, upon the trustor’s death the trust account may be aggregated with such beneficiary’s own accounts; for trusts with multiple primary beneficiaries, upon the trustor’s death the trustees of the trust may instruct American Funds Service Company to establish separate trust accounts for each primary beneficiary; each primary beneficiary’s separate trust account may then be aggregated with such beneficiary’s own accounts);

· endowments or foundations established and controlled by you or your immediate family; or

· 529 accounts, which will be aggregated at the account owner level (Class 529-E accounts may only be aggregated with an eligible employer plan).

Individual purchases by a trustee(s) or other fiduciary(ies) may also be aggregated if the investments are:

· for a single trust estate or fiduciary account, including employee benefit plans other than the individual-type employee benefit plans described above;

· made for two or more employee benefit plans of a single employer or of affiliated employers as defined in the 1940 Act, excluding the individual-type employee benefit plans described above;

· for a diversified common trust fund or other diversified pooled account not specifically formed for the purpose of accumulating fund shares;

· for nonprofit, charitable or educational organizations, or any endowments or foundations established and controlled by such organizations, or any employer-sponsored retirement plans established for the benefit of the employees of such organizations, their endowments, or their foundations;

· for participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that is treated as an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes (see “Purchases by certain 403(b) plans” under “Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs” below), or made for participant accounts of two or more such plans, in each case of a single employer or affiliated employers as defined in the 1940 Act; or

· for a SEP or SIMPLE IRA plan established after November 15, 2004, by an employer adopting a prototype plan produced by American Funds Distributors.

Purchases made for nominee or street name accounts (securities held in the name of an investment dealer or another nominee such as a bank trust department instead of the customer) may not be aggregated with those made for other accounts and may not be aggregated with other nominee or street name accounts unless otherwise qualified as described above.

Joint accounts may be aggregated with other accounts belonging to the primary owner and/or his or her immediate family. The primary owner of a joint account is the individual responsible for taxes on the account.

Investments made through employer-sponsored retirement plan accounts will not be aggregated with individual-type accounts.

Concurrent purchases You may reduce your Class A sales charge by combining simultaneous purchases (including, upon your request, purchases for gifts) of all classes of shares in American Funds. Shares of American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund purchased through an exchange, reinvestment or cross-

38     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

reinvestment from a fund having a sales charge also qualify. However, direct purchases of American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund Class A shares are excluded. If you currently have individual holdings in American Legacy variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies that were established on or before March 31, 2007, you may continue to combine purchases made under such contracts and policies to reduce your Class A sales charge.

Rights of accumulation Subject to the limitations described in the aggregation policy, you may take into account your accumulated holdings in all share classes of American Funds to determine your sales charge on investments in accounts eligible to be aggregated. Direct purchases of American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund Class A shares are excluded. Subject to your investment dealer’s or recordkeeper’s capabilities, your accumulated holdings will be calculated as the higher of (a) the current value of your existing holdings (the “market value”) as of the day prior to your American Funds investment or (b) the amount you invested (including reinvested dividends and capital gains, but excluding capital appreciation) less any withdrawals (the “cost value”). Depending on the entity on whose books your account is held, the value of your holdings in that account may not be eligible for calculation at cost value. For example, accounts held in nominee or street name may not be eligible for calculation at cost value and instead may be calculated at market value for purposes of rights of accumulation.

The value of all of your holdings in accounts established in calendar year 2005 or earlier will be assigned an initial cost value equal to the market value of those holdings as of the last business day of 2005. Thereafter, the cost value of such accounts will increase or decrease according to actual investments or withdrawals. You must contact your financial advisor or American Funds Service Company if you have additional information that is relevant to the calculation of the value of your holdings.

When determining your American Funds Class A sales charge, if your investment is not in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you may also continue to take into account the market value (as of the day prior to your American Funds investment) of your individual holdings in various American Legacy variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies that were established on or before March 31, 2007. An employer-sponsored retirement plan may also continue to take into account the market value of its investments in American Legacy Retirement Investment Plans that were established on or before March 31, 2007.

You may not purchase Class C or 529-C shares if such combined holdings cause you to be eligible to purchase Class A or 529-A shares at the $1 million or more sales charge discount rate (i.e., at net asset value).

If you make a gift of American Funds Class A shares, upon your request, you may purchase the shares at the sales charge discount allowed under rights of accumulation of all of your American Funds and applicable American Legacy accounts.

You should retain any records necessary to substantiate the historical amounts you have invested.

Statement of intention You may reduce your Class A sales charge by establishing a statement of intention. A statement of intention is a nonbinding commitment that allows you to combine all purchases of all American Funds share classes (excluding

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     39


 
 

 

American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund) that you intend to make over a 13-month period to determine the applicable sales charge; however, purchases made under a right of reinvestment, appreciation of your holdings, and reinvested dividends and capital gains do not count as purchases made during the statement period. Your accumulated holdings (as described and calculated under “Rights of accumulation” above) eligible to be aggregated as of the day immediately before the start of the statement period may be credited toward satisfying the statement. A portion of your account may be held in escrow to cover additional Class A sales charges that may be due if your total purchases over the statement period do not qualify you for the applicable sales charge reduction. Employer-sponsored retirement plans are restricted from establishing statements of intention. See the discussion regarding employer-sponsored retirement plans under “Purchase, exchange and sale of shares” in this prospectus for more information.

The statement of intention period starts on the date on which your first purchase made toward satisfying the statement of intention is processed. Your accumulated holdings (as described above under “Rights of accumulation”) eligible to be aggregated as of the day immediately before the start of the statement of intention period may be credited toward satisfying the statement of intention.

You may revise the commitment you have made in your statement of intention upward at any time during the statement of intention period. If your prior commitment has not been met by the time of the revision, the statement of intention period during which purchases must be made will remain unchanged. Purchases made from the date of the revision will receive the reduced sales charge, if any, resulting from the revised statement of intention. If your prior commitment has been met by the time of the revision, your original statement of intention will be considered met and a new statement of intention will be established.

The statement of intention will be considered completed if the shareholder dies within the 13-month statement of intention period. Commissions to dealers will not be adjusted or paid on the difference between the statement of intention amount and the amount actually invested before the shareholder’s death.

When a shareholder elects to use a statement of intention, shares equal to 5% of the dollar amount specified in the statement of intention may be held in escrow in the shareholder’s account out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases, if necessary) by American Funds Service Company. All dividends and any capital gain distributions on shares held in escrow will be credited to the shareholder’s account in shares (or paid in cash, if requested). If the intended investment is not completed within the specified statement of intention period the investments made during the statement period will be adjusted to reflect the difference between the sales charge actually paid and the sales charge which would have been paid if the total of such purchases had been made at a single time. Any dealers assigned to the shareholder’s account at the time a purchase was made during the statement period will receive a corresponding commission adjustment if appropriate.

In addition, if you currently have individual holdings in American Legacy variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies that were established on or before March 31, 2007, you may continue to apply purchases under such contracts and policies to a statement of intention.

40     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Shareholders purchasing shares at a reduced sales charge under a statement of intention indicate their acceptance of these terms and those in the prospectus with their first purchase.

Reducing your Class T initial sales charge Consistent with the policies described in this prospectus, the initial sales charge you pay each time you buy Class T shares may differ depending upon the amount you invest and may be reduced for larger purchases. Additionally, Class T shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions are not subject to an initial sales charge. Sales charges on Class T shares are applied on a transaction-by-transaction basis, and, accordingly, Class T shares are not eligible for any other sales charge waivers or reductions, including through the aggregation of Class T shares concurrently purchased by other related accounts or in other American Funds. The sales charge applicable to Class T shares may not be reduced by establishing a statement of intention, and rights of accumulation are not available for Class T shares.

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     41


 
 

 

Right of reinvestment If you notify American Funds Service Company prior to the time of reinvestment, you may reinvest proceeds from a redemption, dividend payment or capital gain distribution without a sales charge in the same fund or other American Funds, provided that the reinvestment occurs within 90 days after the date of the redemption, dividend payment or distribution and is made into the same account from which you redeemed the shares or received the dividend payment or distribution. If the account has been closed, you may reinvest without a sales charge if the new receiving account has the same registration as the closed account and the reinvestment is made within 90 days after the date of redemption, dividend payment or distribution.

Proceeds from a redemption and all dividend payments and capital gain distributions will be reinvested in the same share class from which the original redemption, dividend payment or distribution was made. Any contingent deferred sales charge on Class A or C shares will be credited to your account. Redemption proceeds of Class A shares representing direct purchases in American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund that are reinvested in other American Funds will be subject to a sales charge.

Proceeds will be reinvested at the next calculated net asset value after your request is received by American Funds Service Company, provided that your request contains all information and legal documentation necessary to process the transaction. For purposes of this “right of reinvestment policy,” automatic transactions (including, for example, automatic purchases, withdrawals and payroll deductions) and ongoing retirement plan contributions are not eligible for investment without a sales charge. You may not reinvest proceeds in American Funds as described in this paragraph if such proceeds are subject to a purchase block as described under “Frequent trading of fund shares” in this prospectus. This paragraph does not apply to certain rollover investments as described under “Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs” in this prospectus. Depending on the financial intermediary holding your account, your reinvestment privileges may be unavailable or differ from those described in this prospectus. Investors should consult their financial intermediary for further information.

42     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Contingent deferred sales charge waivers The contingent deferred sales charge on Class A and C shares will be waived in the following cases:

· permitted exchanges of shares, except if shares acquired by exchange are then redeemed within the period during which a contingent deferred sales charge would apply to the initial shares purchased;

· tax-free returns of excess contributions to IRAs;

· redemptions due to death or postpurchase disability of the shareholder (this generally excludes accounts registered in the names of trusts and other entities);

· in the case of joint tenant accounts, if one joint tenant dies, a surviving joint tenant, at the time he or she notifies American Funds Service Company of the other joint tenant’s death and removes the decedent’s name from the account, may redeem shares from the account without incurring a contingent deferred sales charge; however, redemptions made after American Funds Service Company is notified of the death of a joint tenant will be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge;

· for 529 share classes only, redemptions due to a beneficiary’s death, postpurchase disability or receipt of a scholarship (to the extent of the scholarship award);

· redemptions due to the complete termination of a trust upon the death of the trustor/grantor or beneficiary, but only if such termination is specifically provided for in the trust document; and

· the following types of transactions, if they do not exceed 12% of the value of an account annually:

— required minimum distributions taken from retirement accounts upon the shareholder’s attainment of age 70½ (required minimum distributions that continue to be taken by the beneficiary(ies) after the account owner is deceased also qualify for a waiver); and

— redemptions through an automatic withdrawal plan (“AWP”) (see “Automatic withdrawals” under “Shareholder account services and privileges” in the statement of additional information). For each AWP payment, assets that are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, such as shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and/or capital gain distributions, will be redeemed first and will count toward the 12% limit. If there is an insufficient amount of assets not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge to cover a particular AWP payment, shares subject to the lowest contingent deferred sales charge will be redeemed next until the 12% limit is reached. Any dividends and/or capital gain distributions taken in cash by a shareholder who receives payments through an AWP will also count toward the 12% limit. In the case of an AWP, the 12% limit is calculated at the time an automatic redemption is first made, and is recalculated at the time each additional automatic redemption is made. Shareholders who establish an AWP should be aware that the amount of a payment not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge may vary over time depending on fluctuations in the value of their accounts. This privilege may be revised or terminated at any time.

For purposes of this paragraph, “account” means your investment in the applicable class of shares of the particular fund from which you are making the redemption.

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     43


 
 

 

The contingent deferred sales charge on American Funds Class A shares may be waived in cases where the fund’s transfer agent determines the benefit to the fund of collecting the contingent deferred sales charge would be outweighed by the cost of applying it.

Contingent deferred sales charge waivers are allowed only in the cases listed here and in the statement of additional information. For example, contingent deferred sales charge waivers will not be allowed on redemptions of Class 529-C shares due to termination of CollegeAmerica; a determination by the Internal Revenue Service that CollegeAmerica does not qualify as a qualified tuition program under the Code; proposal or enactment of law that eliminates or limits the tax-favored status of CollegeAmerica; or elimination of the fund by Virginia529 as an option for additional investment within CollegeAmerica.

To have your Class A or C contingent deferred sales charge waived, you must inform your advisor or American Funds Service Company at the time you redeem shares that you qualify for such a waiver.

44     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs Assets from retirement plans may be invested in Class A, C or F shares through an IRA rollover, subject to the other provisions of this prospectus. Class C shares are not available if the assets are being rolled over from investments held in American Funds Recordkeeper Direct and PlanPremier retirement plan recordkeeping programs.

Rollovers to IRAs from retirement plans that are rolled into Class A shares will be subject to applicable sales charges. The following rollovers to Class A shares will be made without a sales charge:

·  rollovers to Capital Bank and Trust CompanySM IRAs if the assets were invested in any fund managed by the investment adviser or its affiliates at the time of distribution;

· rollovers to IRAs from 403(b) plans with Capital Bank and Trust Company as custodian; and

· rollovers to Capital Bank and Trust Company IRAs from investments held in American Funds Recordkeeper Direct and PlanPremier retirement plan recordkeeping programs.

IRA rollover assets that roll over without a sales charge as described above will not be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, and investment dealers will be compensated solely with an annual service fee that begins to accrue immediately. All other rollovers invested in Class A shares, as well as future contributions to the IRA, will be subject to sales charges and to the terms and conditions generally applicable to Class A share investments as described in this prospectus and in the statement of additional information.

Other sales charge waivers Waivers of all or a portion of the contingent deferred sales charge on Class C and 529-C shares and the sales charge on Class A and 529-A shares will be granted for transactions requested by financial intermediaries as a result of (i) pending or anticipated regulatory matters that require investor accounts to be moved to a different share class or (ii) conversions of IRAs from brokerage to advisory accounts investing in Class F shares in cases where new investments in brokerage IRA accounts have been restricted by the intermediary.

Purchases by SEP plans and SIMPLE IRA plans Participant accounts in a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan or a Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of Small Employers IRA (SIMPLE IRA) will be aggregated at the plan level for Class A sales charge purposes if an employer adopts a prototype plan produced by American Funds Distributors or (a) the employer or plan sponsor submits all contributions for all participating employees in a single contribution transmittal or the contributions are identified as related to the same plan; (b) each transmittal is accompanied by checks or wire transfers and generally must be submitted through the transfer agent’s automated contribution system if held on the fund’s books; and (c) if the fund is expected to carry separate accounts in the name of each plan participant and (i) the employer or plan sponsor notifies the funds’ transfer agent or the intermediary holding the account that the separate accounts of all plan participants should be linked and (ii) all new participant accounts are established by submitting the appropriate documentation on behalf of each new participant. Participant accounts in a SEP or SIMPLE plan that are eligible to aggregate their assets at the plan level may not also aggregate the assets with their individual accounts.

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     45


 
 

 

Purchases by certain 403(b) plans A 403(b) plan may not invest in American Funds Class A or C shares unless such plan was invested in Class A or C shares before January 1, 2009.

Participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that invested in American Funds Class A or C shares and were treated as an individual-type plan for sales charge purposes before January 1, 2009, may continue to be treated as accounts of an individual-type plan for sales charge purposes. Participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that invested in American Funds Class A or C shares and were treated as an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes before January 1, 2009, may continue to be treated as accounts of an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes. Participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that was established on or after January 1, 2009, are treated as accounts of an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes.

Moving between accounts American Funds investments by certain account types may be moved to other account types without incurring additional Class A sales charges. These transactions include:

· redemption proceeds from a non-retirement account (for example, a joint tenant account) used to purchase fund shares in an IRA or other individual-type retirement account;

· required minimum distributions from an IRA or other individual-type retirement account used to purchase fund shares in a non-retirement account; and

· death distributions paid to a beneficiary’s account that are used by the beneficiary to purchase fund shares in a different account.

These privileges are generally available only if your account is held directly with the fund’s transfer agent or if the financial intermediary holding your account has the systems, policies and procedures to support providing the privileges on its systems. Investors should consult their financial intermediary for further information.

46     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Plans of distribution The fund has plans of distribution, or “12b-1 plans,” for certain share classes under which it may finance activities intended primarily to sell shares, provided that the categories of expenses are approved in advance by the fund’s board of trustees. The plans provide for payments, based on annualized percentages of average daily net assets, of:

   
Up to: Share class(es)
0.30% Class A shares
0.50% Class T, F-1, 529-A, 529-T, 529-F-1 and R-4 shares
0.75% Class 529-E and R-3 shares
0.85% Class R-2E shares
1.00% Class C, 529-C, R-1 and R-2 shares

For all share classes indicated above, up to .25% may be used to pay service fees to qualified dealers for providing certain shareholder services. The amount remaining for each share class, if any, may be used for distribution expenses.

The 12b-1 fees paid by each applicable share class of the fund, as a percentage of average net assets for the most recent fiscal year, are indicated in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table on page 2 of this prospectus. Since these fees are paid out of the fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time they may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges or service fees and reduce the return on your investment. The higher fees for Class C shares may cost you more over time than paying the initial sales charge for Class A or T shares.

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     47


 
 

 

Other compensation to dealers American Funds Distributors, at its expense, provides additional compensation to investment dealers. These payments may be made, at the discretion of American Funds Distributors, to no more than the top 60 dealers (or their affiliates) that have sold shares of American Funds. The payment will be determined using a formula applied consistently to dealers based on their assets under management. The level of payments made to a qualifying firm under the formula will not exceed .035% of eligible American Funds assets attributable to that dealer. Class R shares and other retirement assets (for example, IRAs in advisory programs) are generally excluded from the formula. Dealers may direct American Funds Distributors to exclude additional assets. In addition to the asset-based payment, American Funds Distributors makes a payment of $5 million to each of the top six firms in terms of American Funds assets under management to recognize the depth of the commitment each of those firms has made to collaborating with American Funds Distributors on achieving advisor training and education objectives.

American Funds Distributors makes these additional compensation payments to support various efforts, including, among other things, to:

·  help defray the costs incurred by qualifying dealers in connection with efforts to educate financial advisors about American Funds so that they can make recommendations and provide services that are suitable and meet shareholder needs,

·  help defray the costs associated with the dealer firms’ provision of account related services and activities,

·  support the dealer firms’ distribution activities,

·  support meetings, conferences or other training and educational events hosted by the firm, and

·  obtain relevant data regarding financial advisor activities to facilitate American Funds Distributors’ training and education activities.

American Funds Distributors will, on an annual basis, determine the advisability of continuing these payments. Firms receiving additional compensation payments must sign a letter acknowledging the purpose of the payment and generally requiring the firms to (1) have significant assets invested in American Funds, (2) perform the due diligence necessary to include American Funds on their platform, (3) not provide financial advisors, branch managers or associated persons with any financial incentives to promote the sales of one approved fund group over another approved group, (4) provide opportunities for their clients to obtain individualized advice, (5) provide American Funds Distributors broad access to their financial advisors and product platforms and work together on mutual business objectives, and (6) work with the fund’s transfer agent to promote operational efficiencies and to facilitate necessary communication between American Funds and the firm’s clients who own shares of American Funds.

American Funds Distributors has identified certain firms that provide a self-directed platform for the public as well as clearing, custody and recordkeeping services for certain other intermediaries. In lieu of the formula described above, these firms receive a payment of up to .018% of assets under administration (excluding assets where the firm acts as a fiduciary and brokerage clearing assets). Firms may direct American Funds Distributors to exclude additional assets.

48     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

American Funds Distributors may also make payments, outside of the formulas described above for, among other things, data (including fees to obtain lists of financial advisors to better tailor training and education opportunities), account-related services, and operational improvements. In 2018, American Funds Distributors paid the following firms for such information and services amounts that did not exceed the following amounts:

   
Fidelity Investments $400,000
LPL Financial LLC $560,000
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management $800,000
PNC Network $50,000
UBS Financial Services Inc. $300,000
Wells Fargo Advisors $450,000

American Funds Distributors may also pay expenses associated with meetings and other training and educational opportunities conducted by selling dealers, advisory platform providers and other intermediaries to facilitate educating financial advisors and shareholders about American Funds.

If investment advisers, distributors or other affiliates of mutual funds pay additional compensation or other incentives to investment dealers in differing amounts, dealer firms and their advisors may have financial incentives for recommending a particular mutual fund over other mutual funds or investments. You should consult with your financial advisor and review carefully any disclosure by your financial advisor’s firm as to compensation received.

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     49


 
 

 

Fund expenses Note that, unless otherwise stated, references to Class A, C, T and F-1 shares in this “Fund expenses” section do not include the corresponding Class 529 shares.

In periods of market volatility, assets of the fund may decline significantly, causing total annual fund operating expenses (as a percentage of the value of your investment) to become higher than the numbers shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table on page 2 of this prospectus.

For all share classes, “Other expenses” items in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table in this prospectus include fees for administrative services provided by the fund’s investment adviser and its affiliates. Administrative services are provided by the investment adviser and its affiliates to help assist third parties providing non-distribution services to fund shareholders. These services include providing in-depth information on the fund and market developments that impact fund investments. Administrative services also include, but are not limited to, coordinating, monitoring and overseeing third parties that provide services to fund shareholders. The Administrative Services Agreement between the fund and the investment adviser provides the fund the ability to charge an administrative services fee of .05% for all share classes. The fund’s investment adviser receives an administrative services fee at the annual rate of .03% of the average daily net assets of the fund attributable to Class A, C, T, F, R and 529 shares (which could be increased as noted above) for its provision of administrative services.

The “Other expenses” items in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table also include custodial, legal and transfer agent (and, if applicable, subtransfer agent/recordkeeping) payments and various other expenses applicable to all share classes.

50     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Subtransfer agency and recordkeeping fees Subtransfer agent/recordkeeping payments may be made to third parties (including affiliates of the fund’s investment adviser) that provide subtransfer agent, recordkeeping and/or shareholder services with respect to certain shareholder accounts in lieu of the transfer agent providing such services. The amount paid for subtransfer agent/recordkeeping services varies depending on the share class and services provided, and typically ranges from $3 to $18 per account. Although Class F-3 shares are not subject to any subtransfer agency or recordkeeping fees, Class F-1 and F-2 shares are subject to subtransfer agency fees of up to .12% of fund assets. For Class 529 shares, an expense of up to a maximum of .07% paid to a state or states for oversight and administrative services is included as an “Other expenses” item.

For employer-sponsored retirement plans, the amount paid for subtransfer agent/ recordkeeping services varies depending on the share class selected. The table below shows the maximum payments to entities providing these services to retirement plans.

   
  Payments
Class A 0.05% of assets or
$12 per participant position*
Class R-1 0.10% of assets
Class R-2 0.35% of assets
Class R-2E 0.20% of assets
Class R-3 0.15% of assets
Class R-4 0.10% of assets
Class R-5E 0.15% of assets
Class R-5 0.05% of assets
Class R-6 none

* Payment amount depends on the date services commenced.

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     51


 
 

 

Financial highlights The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund’s results for the past five fiscal years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share of a particular class. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions). Where indicated, figures in the table reflect the impact, if any, of certain reimbursements from Capital Research and Management Company. For more information about these reimbursements, see the fund’s statement of additional information and annual report. The information in the Financial Highlights table has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP whose current report, along with the fund’s financial statements, is included in the statement of additional information, which is available upon request.

                                                     
    Income (loss) from
investment operations1
Dividends and distributions            
Period ended Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net gains
(losses) on
securities
(both
realized and
unrealized)
Total from
investment
operations
Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
Distributions
(from capital
gains)
Total
dividends
and
distributions
Net asset
value,
end
of period
Total
return2, 3
Net assets,
end of period
(in millions)
Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets before
reimburse-
ments
Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets after
reimburse-
ments3
Ratio of
net income
(loss) to
average
net assets3
Class A:                                                    
8/31/2019 $9.84   $.20   $.39   $.59   $(.22 ) $—   $(.22 ) $10.21   6.05 % $198   .69 % .69 % 2.03 %
8/31/2018 10.20   .14   (.32 ) (.18 ) (.15 ) (.03 ) (.18 ) 9.84   (1.81 ) 197   .68   .68   1.41  
8/31/2017 10.23   .10   .09   .19   (.13 ) (.09 ) (.22 ) 10.20   1.94   218   .69   .69   .98  
8/31/2016 10.22   .08   .22   .30   (.16 ) (.13 ) (.29 ) 10.23   2.90   229   .68   .68   .79  
8/31/2015 10.21   .04   .17   .21   (.10 ) (.10 ) (.20 ) 10.22   2.09   164   .70   .70   .40  
Class C:                                                    
8/31/2019 9.80   .12   .39   .51   (.14 )   (.14 ) 10.17   5.26   16   1.46   1.46   1.25  
8/31/2018 10.17   .06   (.33 ) (.27 ) (.07 ) (.03 ) (.10 ) 9.80   (2.68 ) 16   1.47   1.47   .60  
8/31/2017 10.19   .02   .11   .13   (.06 ) (.09 ) (.15 ) 10.17   1.25   21   1.48   1.48   .18  
8/31/2016 10.18   4 .22   .22   (.08 ) (.13 ) (.21 ) 10.19   2.10   26   1.48   1.48   (.01 )
8/31/2015 10.19   (.05 ) .17   .12   (.03 ) (.10 ) (.13 ) 10.18   1.14   17   1.50   1.50   (.40 )
Class T:                                                    
8/31/2019 9.83   .22   .40   .62   (.24 )   (.24 ) 10.21   6.40 5 6 .46 5 .46 5 2.26 5
8/31/2018 10.20   .16   (.33 ) (.17 ) (.17 ) (.03 ) (.20 ) 9.83   (1.68 )5 6 .45 5 .45 5 1.65 5
8/31/20177, 8 10.10   .06   .10   .16   (.06 )   (.06 ) 10.20   1.63 5, 9 6 .18 5, 9 .18 5, 9 .55 5, 9
 
52     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus

 


 
 

 

                                                     
    Income (loss) from
investment operations1
Dividends and distributions            
Period ended Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net gains
(losses) on
securities
(both
realized and
unrealized)
Total from
investment
operations
Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
Distributions
(from capital
gains)
Total
dividends
and
distributions
Net asset
value,
end
of period
Total
return2, 3
Net assets,
end of period
(in millions)
Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets before
reimburse-
ments
Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets after
reimburse-
ments3
Ratio of
net income
(loss) to
average
net assets3
Class F-1:                                                    
8/31/2019 $9.84   $.20   $.39   $.59   $(.22 ) $—   $(.22 ) $10.21   6.06 % $18   .68 % .68 % 2.05 %
8/31/2018 10.20   .14   (.32 ) (.18 ) (.15 ) (.03 ) (.18 ) 9.84   (1.83 ) 14   .70   .70   1.39  
8/31/2017 10.23   .10   .09   .19   (.13 ) (.09 ) (.22 ) 10.20   1.92   14   .70   .70   .94  
8/31/2016 10.22   .08   .22   .30   (.16 ) (.13 ) (.29 ) 10.23   2.91   23   .67   .67   .92  
8/31/2015 10.21   .04   .17   .21   (.10 ) (.10 ) (.20 ) 10.22   2.08   10   .71   .71   .41  
Class F-2:                                                    
8/31/2019 9.84   .23   .40   .63   (.25 )   (.25 ) 10.22   6.46   122   .39   .39   2.33  
8/31/2018 10.21   .17   (.33 ) (.16 ) (.18 ) (.03 ) (.21 ) 9.84   (1.64 ) 74   .40   .40   1.73  
8/31/2017 10.23   .12   .11   .23   (.16 ) (.09 ) (.25 ) 10.21   2.30   47   .44   .44   1.20  
8/31/2016 10.22   .11   .22   .33   (.19 ) (.13 ) (.32 ) 10.23   3.18   53   .41   .41   1.28  
8/31/2015 10.21   .07   .17   .24   (.13 ) (.10 ) (.23 ) 10.22   2.37   12   .42   .42   .67  
Class F-3:                                                    
8/31/2019 9.84   .24   .40   .64   (.26 )   (.26 ) 10.22   6.56   18   .30   .30   2.43  
8/31/2018 10.20   .18   (.32 ) (.14 ) (.19 ) (.03 ) (.22 ) 9.84   (1.45 ) 13   .31   .31   1.80  
8/31/20177, 10 10.07   .09   .14   .23   (.10 )   (.10 ) 10.20   2.33 9 11   .31 11 .31 11 1.55 11
Class 529-A:                                                    
8/31/2019 9.83   .20   .39   .59   (.21 )   (.21 ) 10.21   6.09   24   .75   .75   1.97  
8/31/2018 10.20   .13   (.33 ) (.20 ) (.14 ) (.03 ) (.17 ) 9.83   (1.98 ) 21   .75   .75   1.36  
8/31/2017 10.23   .10   .09   .19   (.13 ) (.09 ) (.22 ) 10.20   1.98   19   .74   .74   .94  
8/31/2016 10.21   .08   .22   .30   (.15 ) (.13 ) (.28 ) 10.23   2.81   18   .76   .76   .71  
8/31/2015 10.21   .02   .17   .19   (.09 ) (.10 ) (.19 ) 10.21   1.91   13   .79   .79   .32  
Class 529-C:                                                    
8/31/2019 9.79   .12   .39   .51   (.14 )   (.14 ) 10.16   5.22   4   1.51   1.51   1.20  
8/31/2018 10.15   .05   (.31 ) (.26 ) (.07 ) (.03 ) (.10 ) 9.79   (2.64 ) 4   1.52   1.52   .54  
8/31/2017 10.18   .01   .10   .11   (.05 ) (.09 ) (.14 ) 10.15   1.10   6   1.53   1.53   .14  
8/31/2016 10.17   (.01 ) .22   .21   (.07 ) (.13 ) (.20 ) 10.18   2.04   7   1.55   1.55   (.06 )
8/31/2015 10.18   (.06 ) .17   .11   (.02 ) (.10 ) (.12 ) 10.17   1.10   5   1.57   1.57   (.47 )
 
American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     53

 


 
 

 

                                                     
    Income (loss) from
investment operations1
Dividends and distributions            
Period ended Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net gains
(losses) on
securities
(both
realized and
unrealized)
Total from
investment
operations
Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
Distributions
(from capital
gains)
Total
dividends
and
distributions
Net asset
value,
end
of period
Total
return2, 3
Net assets,
end of period
(in millions)
Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets before
reimburse-
ments
Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets after
reimburse-
ments3
Ratio of
net income
(loss) to
average
net assets3
Class 529-E:                                                    
8/31/2019 $9.84   $.18   $.38   $.56   $(.19 ) $—   $(.19 ) $10.21   5.77 % $2   .96 % .96 % 1.77 %
8/31/2018 10.20   .11   (.32 ) (.21 ) (.12 ) (.03 ) (.15 ) 9.84   (2.09 ) 1   .96   .96   1.14  
8/31/2017 10.23   .07   .10   .17   (.11 ) (.09 ) (.20 ) 10.20   1.65   2   .98   .98   .71  
8/31/2016 10.21   .05   .22   .27   (.12 ) (.13 ) (.25 ) 10.23   2.66   1   1.01   1.01   .45  
8/31/2015 10.21   4 .17   .17   (.07 ) (.10 ) (.17 ) 10.21   1.65   1   1.04   1.04   .06  
Class 529-T:                                                    
8/31/2019 9.83   .22   .40   .62   (.24 )   (.24 ) 10.21   6.34 5 6 .51 5 .51 5 2.21 5
8/31/2018 10.20   .16   (.33 ) (.17 ) (.17 ) (.03 ) (.20 ) 9.83   (1.74 )5 6 .52 5 .52 5 1.59 5
8/31/20177, 8 10.10   .05   .11   .16   (.06 )   (.06 ) 10.20   1.60 5, 9 6 .20 5, 9 .20 5, 9 .53 5, 9
Class 529-F-1:                                                    
8/31/2019 9.84   .22   .39   .61   (.24 )   (.24 ) 10.21   6.23   8   .52   .52   2.20  
8/31/2018 10.20   .16   (.32 ) (.16 ) (.17 ) (.03 ) (.20 ) 9.84   (1.66 ) 8   .52   .52   1.60  
8/31/2017 10.23   .12   .09   .21   (.15 ) (.09 ) (.24 ) 10.20   2.11   7   .53   .53   1.17  
8/31/2016 10.22   .09   .22   .31   (.17 ) (.13 ) (.30 ) 10.23   3.03   6   .55   .55   .89  
8/31/2015 10.21   .06   .17   .23   (.12 ) (.10 ) (.22 ) 10.22   2.22   6   .57   .57   .54  
Class R-1:                                                    
8/31/2019 9.81   .12   .40   .52   (.15 )   (.15 ) 10.18   5.30   4   1.45   1.45   1.26  
8/31/2018 10.17   .06   (.32 ) (.26 ) (.07 ) (.03 ) (.10 ) 9.81   (2.58 ) 4   1.47   1.47   .65  
8/31/2017 10.20   .03   .08   .11   (.05 ) (.09 ) (.14 ) 10.17   1.13   4   1.49   1.49   .33  
8/31/2016 10.19   .01   .22   .23   (.09 ) (.13 ) (.22 ) 10.20   2.27   6 1.33   1.33   .18  
8/31/2015 10.19   4 .17   .17   (.07 ) (.10 ) (.17 ) 10.19   1.61   6 1.13   1.13   (.06 )
Class R-2:                                                    
8/31/2019 9.79   .13   .39   .52   (.15 )   (.15 ) 10.16   5.33   3   1.40   1.40   1.32  
8/31/2018 10.15   .07   (.32 ) (.25 ) (.08 ) (.03 ) (.11 ) 9.79   (2.54 ) 3   1.42   1.42   .69  
8/31/2017 10.18   .02   .10   .12   (.06 ) (.09 ) (.15 ) 10.15   1.18   3   1.46   1.46   .22  
8/31/2016 10.17   4 .22   .22   (.08 ) (.13 ) (.21 ) 10.18   2.10   3   1.49   1.49   (.01 )
8/31/2015 10.18   (.06 ) .17   .11   (.02 ) (.10 ) (.12 ) 10.17   1.08   2   1.62   1.62   (.51 )
 
54     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus

 


 
 

 

                                                     
    Income (loss) from
investment operations1
Dividends and distributions            
Period ended Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net gains
(losses) on
securities
(both
realized and
unrealized)
Total from
investment
operations
Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
Distributions
(from capital
gains)
Total
dividends
and
distributions
Net asset
value,
end
of period
Total
return2, 3
Net assets,
end of period
(in millions)
Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets before
reimburse-
ments
Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets after
reimburse-
ments3
Ratio of
net income
(loss) to
average
net assets3
Class R-2E:                                                    
8/31/2019 $9.82   $.16   $.40   $.56   $(.18 ) $—   $(.18 ) $10.20   5.74 % $— 6 1.14 % 1.09 % 1.64 %
8/31/2018 10.19   .10   (.33 ) (.23 ) (.11 ) (.03 ) (.14 ) 9.82   (2.30 )5 6 1.17 5 1.07 5 1.04 5
8/31/2017 10.21   .06   .11   .17   (.10 ) (.09 ) (.19 ) 10.19   1.69 5 6 1.12 5 1.11 5 .63 5
8/31/2016 10.22   .08   .22   .30   (.18 ) (.13 ) (.31 ) 10.21   2.92 5 6 .70 5 .60 5 .84 5
8/31/2015 10.21   .06   .17   .23   (.12 ) (.10 ) (.22 ) 10.22   2.22 5 6 .57 5 .57 5 .54 5
Class R-3:                                                    
8/31/2019 9.83   .17   .39   .56   (.19 )   (.19 ) 10.20   5.75   41   1.00   1.00   1.74  
8/31/2018 10.19   .11   (.32 ) (.21 ) (.12 ) (.03 ) (.15 ) 9.83   (2.15 ) 34   1.02   1.02   1.10  
8/31/2017 10.22   .08   .08   .16   (.10 ) (.09 ) (.19 ) 10.19   1.59   26   1.02   1.02   .79  
8/31/2016 10.21   .04   .22   .26   (.12 ) (.13 ) (.25 ) 10.22   2.57   3   1.00   1.00   .52  
8/31/2015 10.21   4 .17   .17   (.07 ) (.10 ) (.17 ) 10.21   1.68   2   1.01   1.01   .09  
Class R-4:                                                    
8/31/2019 9.84   .20   .39   .59   (.22 )   (.22 ) 10.21   6.08   5   .66   .66   2.04  
8/31/2018 10.20   .15   (.33 ) (.18 ) (.15 ) (.03 ) (.18 ) 9.84   (1.80 ) 6   .66   .66   1.55  
8/31/2017 10.23   .10   .09   .19   (.13 ) (.09 ) (.22 ) 10.20   1.94   2   .69   .69   .97  
8/31/2016 10.22   .08   .22   .30   (.16 ) (.13 ) (.29 ) 10.23   2.93   3   .65   .65   .88  
8/31/2015 10.21   .05   .17   .22   (.11 ) (.10 ) (.21 ) 10.22   2.16   2   .63   .63   .48  
Class R-5E:                                                    
8/31/2019 9.84   .23   .38   .61   (.24 )   (.24 ) 10.21   6.28   6 .48   .46   2.28  
8/31/2018 10.20   .18   (.33 ) (.15 ) (.18 ) (.03 ) (.21 ) 9.84   (1.53 ) 6 .48   .45   1.79  
8/31/2017 10.23   .13   .10   .23   (.17 ) (.09 ) (.26 ) 10.20   2.25   6 .56   .40   1.28  
8/31/20167, 12 10.25   .08   .17   .25   (.14 ) (.13 ) (.27 ) 10.23   2.39 9 6 .53 11 .53 11 1.01 11
Class R-5:                                                    
8/31/2019 9.84   .24   .38   .62   (.25 )   (.25 ) 10.21   6.40   1   .36   .36   2.36  
8/31/2018 10.20   .18   (.33 ) (.15 ) (.18 ) (.03 ) (.21 ) 9.84   (1.50 ) 1   .36   .36   1.77  
8/31/2017 10.23   .13   .10   .23   (.17 ) (.09 ) (.26 ) 10.20   2.25   1   .38   .38   1.31  
8/31/2016 10.22   .11   .22   .33   (.19 ) (.13 ) (.32 ) 10.23   3.19   1   .39   .39   1.14  
8/31/2015 10.21   .07   .17   .24   (.13 ) (.10 ) (.23 ) 10.22   2.40   6 .38   .38   .72  
 
American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     55

 


 
 

 

                                                     
    Income (loss) from
investment operations1
Dividends and distributions            
Period ended Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
Net
investment
income
(loss)
Net gains
(losses) on
securities
(both
realized and
unrealized)
Total from
investment
operations
Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
Distributions
(from capital
gains)
Total
dividends
and
distributions
Net asset
value,
end
of period
Total
return2, 3
Net assets,
end of period
(in millions)
Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets before
reimburse-
ments
Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets after
reimburse-
ments3
Ratio of
net income
(loss) to
average
net assets3
Class R-6:                                                    
8/31/2019 $9.84   $.24   $.39   $.63   $(.26 ) $—   $(.26 ) $10.21   6.47 % $6,095   .29 % .29 % 2.43 %
8/31/2018 10.20   .18   (.32 ) (.14 ) (.19 ) (.03 ) (.22 ) 9.84   (1.44 ) 4,490   .30   .30   1.83  
8/31/2017 10.23   .14   .09   .23   (.17 ) (.09 ) (.26 ) 10.20   2.33   3,227   .31   .31   1.40  
8/31/2016 10.22   .11   .22   .33   (.19 ) (.13 ) (.32 ) 10.23   3.27   2,157   .31   .31   1.16  
8/31/2015 10.21   .08   .17   .25   (.14 ) (.10 ) (.24 ) 10.22   2.48   1,553   .32   .32   .80  
           
  Year ended August 31,
Portfolio turnover rate for all share classes 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Excluding mortgage dollar roll transactions 129% 66% 104% 159% 130%
Including mortgage dollar roll transactions 605% 1,009% 635% 1,041% 1,205%

1 Based on average shares outstanding.

2 Total returns exclude any applicable sales charges, including contingent deferred sales charges.

3 This column reflects the impact, if any, of certain reimbursements from Capital Research and Management Company. During some of the years shown, Capital Research and Management Company paid a portion of the fund’s transfer agent fees for certain retirement plan share classes.

4 Amount less than $.01.

5 All or a significant portion of assets in this class consisted of seed capital invested by Capital Research and Management Company and/or its affiliates. Fees for distribution services are not charged or accrued on these seed capital assets. If such fees were paid by the fund on seed capital assets, fund expenses would have been higher and net income and total return would have been lower.

6 Amount less than $1 million.

7 Based on operations for a period that is less than a full year.

8 Class T and 529-T shares began investment operations on April 7, 2017.

9 Not annualized.

10 Class F-3 shares began investment operations on January 27, 2017.

11 Annualized.

12   Class R-5E shares began investment operations on November 20, 2015.

 
56     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus

 


 
 

 

 

Appendix

Sales charge waivers

The availability of certain sales charge waivers and discounts will depend on whether you purchase your shares directly from the fund or through a financial intermediary. Intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability of front-end sales charge waivers or contingent deferred (back-end) sales charge (“CDSC”) waivers, which are discussed below. In all instances, it is the purchaser’s responsibility to notify the fund or the purchaser’s financial intermediary at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts qualifying the purchaser for sales charge waivers or discounts. Please contact the applicable intermediary with any questions regarding how the intermediary applies the policies described below and to ensure that you understand what steps you must take to qualify for any available waivers or discounts. For waivers and discounts not available through a particular intermediary, shareholders will have to purchase fund shares directly from the fund or through another intermediary to receive these waivers or discounts. If you change intermediaries after you purchase fund shares, the policies and procedures of the new service provider (either your new intermediary or the fund’s transfer agent) will apply to your account. Those policies may be more or less favorable than those offered by the intermediary through which you purchased your fund shares. You should review any policy differences before changing intermediaries.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Effective April 10, 2017, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Merrill Lynch platform or account are eligible only for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this fund’s prospectus or SAI.

Front-end sales charge waivers on Class A shares available at Merrill Lynch

·  Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan. Except as provided below, Class A shares are not currently available to new plans described in this waiver. Plans that invested in Class A shares of any of the funds without any sales charge before April 1, 2004, and that continue to meet the eligibility requirements in effect as of that date for purchasing Class A shares at net asset value, may continue to purchase American Funds Class A shares without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge.

· Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan. Class A shares are not currently available to the plans described in this waiver

· Shares purchased through a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program. Class A shares are not currently available in the programs described in this waiver

·  Shares purchased by third-party investment advisors on behalf of their advisory clients through Merrill Lynch’s platform. Class A shares are not currently available in the accounts described in this waiver

· Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family)

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     57


 
 

 

 

·  Shares exchanged from Class C (i.e. level-load) shares of the same fund in the month of or following the 10-year anniversary of the purchase date. To the extent that this prospectus elsewhere provides for a waiver with respect to such shares following a shorter holding period, that waiver will apply to exchanges following such shorter period. To the extent that this prospectus elsewhere provides for a waiver with respect to exchanges of Class C shares for sales charge waived shares, that waiver will apply to such exchanges

· Employees and registered representatives of Merrill Lynch or its affiliates and their family members

· Directors or Trustees of the fund, and employees of the fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in this prospectus

·  Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement)

CDSC Waivers on Classes A, B and C shares available at Merrill Lynch

· Death or disability of the shareholder

· Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the fund’s prospectus

· Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account

· Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 70½ as described in the fund’s prospectus

· Shares sold to pay Merrill Lynch fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Merrill Lynch

· Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement

· Shares held in retirement brokerage accounts, that are exchanged for a lower cost share class due to transfer to certain fee based accounts or platforms (applicable to Class A and C shares only)

Front-end sales charge discounts available at Merrill Lynch: breakpoints, rights of accumulation and letters of intent

· Breakpoints as described in this prospectus.

· Rights of accumulation which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Merrill Lynch. Eligible fund family assets not held at Merrill Lynch may be included in the rights of accumulation calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets

· Letters of Intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, through Merrill Lynch, over a 13-month period of time (if applicable)

58     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

 

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Class A share front-end sales charge waiver

Effective July 1, 2018, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management clients purchasing Class A shares of the fund through Morgan Stanley transactional brokerage accounts are entitled to a waiver of the front-end sales charge in the following additional circumstances:

· Morgan Stanley employee and employee-related accounts according to Morgan Stanley’s account linking rules.

· Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions when purchasing shares of the same fund.

· Class C (level load) share positions that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to a Class A share in the same fund pursuant to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s share class conversion program.

·  Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family under a Rights of Reinstatement provision, provided the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge.

Unless specifically described above, no other front-end sales charge waivers are available to mutual fund purchases by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management clients.

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Class R-4 share employer-sponsored retirement plan eligibility

Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.

Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., and

each entity’s affiliates (“Raymond James”) Class A share Front-End Sales Charge Waiver

Effective March 1, 2019, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Raymond James platform or account, or through an introducing broker-dealer or independent registered investment adviser for which Raymond James provides trade execution, clearance, and/or custody services, will be eligible only for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this fund’s prospectus or SAI.

Front-end sales charge waivers on Class A shares available at Raymond James

·  Shares purchased within the same fund family through a systematic reinvestment of capital gains and dividend distributions.

·  Employees and registered representatives of Raymond James or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Raymond James.

·  Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as Rights of Reinstatement).

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     59


 
 

 

 

·  A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares converted at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of Raymond James.

CDSC Waivers on Classes A and C shares available at Raymond James

·  Death or disability of the shareholder.

·  Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the fund’s prospectus.

·  Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.

·  Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 70½ as described in the fund’s prospectus.

·  Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.

Front-end sales charge discounts available at Raymond James: breakpoints, rights of accumulation and/or letters of intent

·  Breakpoints as described in this prospectus.

·  Rights of accumulation which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Raymond James. Eligible fund family assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the calculation of rights of accumulation calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

·  Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

60     American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

 

Class A Shares Front-End Sales Charge Waivers Available at Ameriprise Financial:

The following information applies to Class A shares purchases if you have an account with or otherwise purchase Fund shares through Ameriprise Financial:

Effective January 1, 2019, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Ameriprise Financial platform or account are eligible for the following front-end sales charge waivers, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI:

·  Employer-sponsored retirement plans established prior to April 1, 2004 and that continue to meet the eligibility requirements in effect as of that date for purchasing Class A shares at net asset value (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.

·  Shares purchased through an Ameriprise Financial investment advisory program (if an Advisory or similar share class for such investment advisory program is not available).

·  Shares purchased by third-party investment advisors on behalf of their advisory clients through Ameriprise Financial’s platform (if an Advisory or similar share class for such investment advisory program is not available).

·  Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same Fund (but not any other fund within the same fund family).

·  Shares exchanged from Class C shares of the same fund in the month of or following the 10-year anniversary of the purchase date. To the extent that this prospectus elsewhere provides for a waiver with respect to such shares following a shorter holding period, that waiver will apply to exchanges following such shorter period. To the extent that this prospectus elsewhere provides for a waiver with respect to exchanges of Class C shares for sales charge waived shares, that waiver will also apply to such exchanges.

·  Employees and registered representatives of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates and their immediate family members.

·  Shares purchased by or through qualified accounts (including IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, as well as 401(k)s, 403(b) TSCAs subject to ERISA and defined benefit plans established prior to April 1, 2004 that continue to meet the eligibility requirements in effect as of that date for purchasing Class A shares at net asset value) that are held by a covered family member, defined as an Ameriprise financial advisor and/or the advisor’s spouse, advisor’s lineal ascendant (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, great grandmother, great grandfather), advisor’s lineal descendant (son, step-son, daughter, step-daughter, grandson, granddaughter, great grandson, great granddaughter) or any spouse of a covered family member who is a lineal descendant.

·  Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (i.e. Rights of Reinstatement).

American Funds Mortgage Fund / Prospectus     61


 
 

 

       
       
  For shareholder services American Funds Service Company
(800) 421-4225
 
  For retirement plan services Call your employer or plan administrator  
  For 529 plans American Funds Service Company
(800) 421-4225, ext. 529
 
 
  For 24-hour information American FundsLine
(800) 325-3590
capitalgroup.com
For Class R share information, visit
AmericanFundsRetirement.com
 
  Telephone calls you have with Capital Group may be monitored or recorded for quality assurance, verification and recordkeeping purposes. By speaking to Capital Group on the telephone, you consent to such monitoring and recording.  
 

Multiple translations This prospectus may be translated into other languages. If there is any inconsistency or ambiguity as to the meaning of any word or phrase in a translation, the English text will prevail. Liability is not limited as a result of any material misstatement or omission introduced in the translation.

Annual/Semi-annual report to shareholders The shareholder reports contain additional information about the fund, including financial statements, investment results, portfolio holdings, a discussion of market conditions and the fund’s investment strategies, and the independent registered public accounting firm’s report (in the annual report).

Program description The CollegeAmerica® 529 program description contains additional information about the policies and services related to 529 plan accounts.

Statement of additional information (SAI) and codes of ethics The current SAI, as amended from time to time, contains more detailed information about the fund, including the fund’s financial statements, and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the current SAI, for legal purposes, is part of this prospectus. The codes of ethics describe the personal investing policies adopted by the fund, the fund’s investment adviser and its affiliated companies.

The codes of ethics and current SAI are on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These and other related materials about the fund are available for review on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at sec.gov or, after payment of a duplicating fee, via email request to [email protected]. The codes of ethics, current SAI and shareholder reports are also available, free of charge, on our website, capitalgroup.com.

E-delivery and household mailings Each year you are automatically sent an updated summary prospectus and annual and semi-annual reports for the fund. You may also occasionally receive proxy statements for the fund. In order to reduce the volume of mail you receive, when possible, only one copy of these documents will be sent to shareholders who are part of the same family and share the same household address. You may elect to receive these documents electronically in lieu of paper form by enrolling in e-delivery on our website, capitalgroup.com.

If you would like to opt out of household-based mailings or receive a complimentary copy of the current SAI, codes of ethics, annual/semi-annual report to shareholders or applicable program description, please call American Funds Service Company at (800) 421-4225 or write to the secretary of the fund at 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, California 92618.

Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) Shareholders may obtain information about SIPC® on its website at sipc.org or by calling (202) 371-8300.

   
 
 
MFGEPRX-042-1119P
Litho in USA CGD/DFS/10128
Investment Company File No. 811-22449
 


 

 

 
 

 

THE FUND MAKES AVAILABLE A SPANISH TRANSLATION OF THE ABOVE PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE PUBLIC OFFERING AND SALE OF ITS SHARES. THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROSPECTUS ABOVE IS A FAIR AND ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF THE SPANISH EQUIVALENT.

 

/s/ STEVEN I. KOSZALKA
  STEVEN I. KOSZALKA
  SECRETARY

 

 

 
 

 

American Funds Mortgage Fund®

Part B
Statement of Additional Information

November 1, 2019

This document is not a prospectus but should be read in conjunction with the current prospectus of American Funds Mortgage Fund (the “fund”) dated November 1, 2019. You may obtain a prospectus from your financial advisor, by calling American Funds Service Company® at (800) 421-4225 or by writing to the fund at the following address:

American Funds Mortgage Fund
Attention: Secretary

6455 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, California 92618

Certain privileges and/or services described below may not be available to all shareholders (including shareholders who purchase shares at net asset value through eligible retirement plans) depending on the shareholder’s investment dealer or retirement plan recordkeeper. Please see your financial advisor, investment dealer, plan recordkeeper or employer for more information.

           
Class A MFAAX Class 529-A CMFAX Class R-1 RMAAX
Class C MFACX Class 529-C CMFCX Class R-2 RMABX
Class T TFMFX Class 529-E CMFEX Class R-2E RMBEX
Class F-1 MFAEX Class 529-T TMFMX Class R-3 RMACX
Class F-2 MFAFX Class 529-F-1 CMFFX Class R-4 RMAEX
Class F-3 AFFMX     Class R-5E RMAHX
        Class R-5 RMAFX
        Class R-6 RMAGX

Table of Contents

Item  Page no.
   
Certain investment limitations and guidelines 2
Description of certain securities, investment techniques and risks 3
Fund policies 20
Management of the fund 22
Execution of portfolio transactions 55
Disclosure of portfolio holdings 59
Price of shares 61
Taxes and distributions 64
Purchase and exchange of shares 67
Sales charges 72
Sales charge reductions and waivers 75
Selling shares 80
Shareholder account services and privileges 81
General information 84
Appendix 93

Investment portfolio
Financial statements

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Certain investment limitations and guidelines

The following limitations and guidelines are considered at the time of purchase, under normal circumstances, and are based on a percentage of the fund’s net assets unless otherwise noted. This summary is not intended to reflect all of the fund’s investment limitations.

· The fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in mortgage-related securities, including, but not limited to, residential mortgage-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities, federal agency debentures, contracts for future delivery of mortgage-related securities (such as to be announced (TBA) contracts and mortgage dollar rolls), and other securities collateralized by mortgage loans.

· The fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in mortgage-related securities that are sponsored or guaranteed by the U.S. government, including securities issued by government sponsored entities and federal agencies and instrumentalities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, and non-government mortgage-related securities that are rated in the Aaa or AAA category (by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations designated by the fund’s investment adviser) or unrated but determined to be of equivalent quality by the fund’s investment adviser. The fund currently intends to look to the ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and Fitch Ratings. If rating agencies differ, securities will be considered to have received the highest of these ratings, consistent with the fund’s investment policies.

· The fund may invest up to 5% of its assets in securities that are in the AA, Aa or A ratings category (by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations designated by the fund’s investment adviser) or unrated but determined to be of equivalent quality by the fund’s investment adviser.

· The fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States; however, all such securities will be U.S. dollar denominated.

· In determining the domicile of an issuer, the fund’s investment adviser will consider the domicile determination of a leading provider of global indexes, such as Morgan Stanley Capital International, and may also take into account such factors as where the issuer’s securities are listed and where the issuer is legally organized, maintains principal corporate offices, conducts its principal operations and/or generates revenues.

* * * * * *

The fund may experience difficulty liquidating certain portfolio securities during significant market declines or periods of heavy redemptions.

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Description of certain securities, investment techniques and risks

The descriptions below are intended to supplement the material in the prospectus under “Investment objective, strategies and risks.”

Debt instruments — Debt securities, also known as “fixed income securities,” are used by issuers to borrow money. Bonds, notes, debentures, asset-backed securities (including those backed by mortgages), and loan participations and assignments are common types of debt securities. Generally, issuers pay investors periodic interest and repay the amount borrowed either periodically during the life of the security and/or at maturity. Some debt securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current interest, but are purchased at a discount from their face values and their values accrete over time to face value at maturity. Some debt securities bear interest at rates that are not fixed, but that vary with changes in specified market rates or indices. The market prices of debt securities fluctuate depending on such factors as interest rates, credit quality and maturity. In general, market prices of debt securities decline when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates fall. These fluctuations will generally be greater for longer-term debt securities than for shorter-term debt securities. Prices of these securities can also be affected by financial contracts held by the issuer or third parties (such as derivatives) relating to the security or other assets or indices.

Certain additional risk factors relating to debt securities are discussed below:

Sensitivity to interest rate and economic changes — Debt securities may be sensitive to economic changes, political and corporate developments, and interest rate changes. In addition, during an economic downturn or a period of rising interest rates, issuers that are highly leveraged may experience increased financial stress that could adversely affect their ability to meet projected business goals, to obtain additional financing and to service their principal and interest payment obligations. Periods of economic change and uncertainty also can be expected to result in increased volatility of market prices and yields of certain debt securities and derivative instruments. For example, during the financial crisis of 2007-2009, the Federal Reserve implemented a number of economic policies that impacted, and may continue to impact, interest rates and the market. These policies, as well as potential actions by governmental entities both in and outside of the U.S., may expose fixed income markets to heightened volatility and may reduce liquidity for certain investments, which could cause the value of the fund’s portfolio to decline.

Payment expectations — Debt securities may contain redemption or call provisions. If an issuer exercises these provisions in a lower interest rate market, the fund may have to replace the security with a lower yielding security, resulting in decreased income to investors. If the issuer of a debt security defaults on its obligations to pay interest or principal or is the subject of bankruptcy proceedings, the fund may incur losses or expenses in seeking recovery of amounts owed to it.

Liquidity and valuation — There may be little trading in the secondary market for particular debt securities, which may affect adversely the fund’s ability to value accurately or dispose of such debt securities. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the value and/or liquidity of debt securities.

Credit ratings for debt securities provided by rating agencies reflect an evaluation of the safety of principal and interest payments, not market value risk. The rating of an issuer is a rating agency’s view of past and future potential developments related to the issuer and may not necessarily reflect actual outcomes. There can be a lag between the time of developments relating to an issuer and the time a rating is assigned and updated. The investment adviser considers these ratings of securities as one of many criteria in making its investment decisions.

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Bond rating agencies may assign modifiers (such as +/–) to ratings categories to signify the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Investment policies that are based on ratings categories should be read to include any security within that category, without giving consideration to the modifier except where otherwise provided. See the Appendix to this statement of additional information for more information about credit ratings.

Pass-through securities — The fund will invest in various debt obligations backed by pools of mortgages or other assets including, but not limited to, residential mortgage loans, home equity loans, mortgages on commercial buildings, consumer loans and equipment leases. Principal and interest payments made on the underlying asset pools backing these obligations are typically passed through to investors, net of any fees paid to any insurer or any guarantor of the securities. Pass-through securities may have either fixed or adjustable coupons. These securities include:

Mortgage-backed securities — These securities may be issued by U.S. government agencies and government-sponsored entities, such as Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and by private entities. The payment of interest and principal on mortgage-backed obligations issued by U.S. government agencies may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government (in the case of Ginnie Mae), or may be guaranteed by the issuer (in the case of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). However, these guarantees do not apply to the market prices and yields of these securities, which vary with changes in interest rates.

Mortgage-backed securities issued by private entities are structured similarly to those issued by U.S. government agencies. However, these securities and the underlying mortgages are not guaranteed by any government agencies and the underlying mortgages are not subject to the same underwriting requirements. These securities generally are structured with one or more types of credit enhancements such as insurance or letters of credit issued by private companies. Borrowers on the underlying mortgages are usually permitted to prepay their underlying mortgages. Prepayments can alter the effective maturity of these instruments. In addition, delinquencies, losses or defaults by borrowers can adversely affect the prices and volatility of these securities. Such delinquencies and losses can be exacerbated by declining or flattening housing and property values. This, along with other outside pressures, such as bankruptcies and financial difficulties experienced by mortgage loan originators, decreased investor demand for mortgage loans and mortgage-related securities and increased investor demand for yield, can adversely affect the value and liquidity of mortgage-backed securities.

Adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities — Adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities (“ARMS”) have interest rates that reset at periodic intervals. Acquiring ARMS permits the fund to participate in increases in prevailing current interest rates through periodic adjustments in the coupons of mortgages underlying the pool on which ARMS are based. Such ARMS generally have higher current yield and lower price fluctuations than is the case with more traditional fixed income debt securities of comparable rating and maturity. In addition, when prepayments of principal are made on the underlying mortgages during periods of rising interest rates, the fund can reinvest the proceeds of such prepayments at rates higher than those at which they were previously invested. Mortgages underlying most ARMS, however, have limits on the allowable annual or lifetime increases that can be made in the interest rate that the mortgagor pays. Therefore, if current interest rates rise above such limits over the period of the limitation, the fund, when holding an ARMS, does not benefit from further increases in interest rates. Moreover, when interest rates are in excess of coupon rates (i.e., the rates being paid by mortgagors) of the mortgages, ARMS behave more like fixed income securities and less like adjustable rate securities and are subject to the risks associated with fixed income securities. In addition, during periods of rising interest rates, increases in the coupon rate of adjustable rate mortgages generally lag current market interest rates slightly, thereby creating the potential for capital depreciation on such securities.

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Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) — CMOs are also backed by a pool of mortgages or mortgage loans, which are divided into two or more separate bond issues. CMOs issued by U.S. government agencies are backed by agency mortgages, while privately issued CMOs may be backed by either government agency mortgages or private mortgages. Payments of principal and interest are passed through to each bond issue at varying schedules resulting in bonds with different coupons, effective maturities and sensitivities to interest rates. Some CMOs may be structured in a way that when interest rates change, the impact of changing prepayment rates on the effective maturities of certain issues of these securities is magnified. CMOs may be less liquid or may exhibit greater price volatility than other types of mortgage or asset-backed securities.

Commercial mortgage-backed securities — These securities are backed by mortgages on commercial property, such as hotels, office buildings, retail stores, hospitals and other commercial buildings. These securities may have a lower prepayment uncertainty than other mortgage-related securities because commercial mortgage loans generally prohibit or impose penalties on prepayments of principal. In addition, commercial mortgage-related securities often are structured with some form of credit enhancement to protect against potential losses on the underlying mortgage loans. Many of the risks of investing in commercial mortgage-backed securities reflect the risks of investing in the real estate securing the underlying mortgage loans, including the effects of local and other economic conditions on real estate markets, the ability of tenants to make rental payments and the ability of a property to attract and retain tenants. Commercial mortgage-backed securities may be less liquid or exhibit greater price volatility than other types of mortgage or asset-backed securities and may be more difficult to value.

Asset-backed securities — These securities are backed by other assets such as credit card, automobile or consumer loan receivables, retail installment loans or participations in pools of leases. Credit support for these securities may be based on the underlying assets and/or provided through credit enhancements by a third party. The values of these securities are sensitive to changes in the credit quality of the underlying collateral, the credit strength of the credit enhancement, changes in interest rates and at times the financial condition of the issuer. Obligors of the underlying assets also may make prepayments that can change effective maturities of the asset-backed securities. These securities may be less liquid and more difficult to value than other securities.

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Obligations backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government — U.S. government obligations include the following types of securities:

U.S. Treasury securities — U.S. Treasury securities include direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds. For these securities, the payment of principal and interest is unconditionally guaranteed by the U.S. government, and thus they are of high credit quality. Such securities are subject to variations in market value due to fluctuations in interest rates and in government policies, but, if held to maturity, are expected to be paid in full (either at maturity or thereafter).

Federal agency securities — The securities of certain U.S. government agencies and government-sponsored entities are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Such agencies and entities include, but are not limited to, the Federal Financing Bank (“FFB”), the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Veterans Administration (“VA”), the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), the Export-Import Bank (“Exim Bank”), the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (“OPIC”), the Commodity Credit Corporation (“CCC”) and the Small Business Administration (“SBA”).

Other federal agency obligations — Additional federal agency securities are neither direct obligations of, nor guaranteed by, the U.S. government. These obligations include securities issued by certain U.S. government agencies and government-sponsored entities. However, they generally involve some form of federal sponsorship: some operate under a congressional charter; some are backed by collateral consisting of “full faith and credit” obligations as described above; some are supported by the issuer’s right to borrow from the Treasury; and others are supported only by the credit of the issuing government agency or entity. These agencies and entities include, but are not limited to: the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Federal Farm Credit Bank System.

In 2008, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were placed into conservatorship by their new regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”). Simultaneously, the U.S. Treasury made a commitment of indefinite duration to maintain the positive net worth of both firms. As conservator, the FHFA has the authority to repudiate any contract either firm has entered into prior to the FHFA’s appointment as conservator (or receiver should either firm go into default) if the FHFA, in its sole discretion determines that performance of the contract is burdensome and repudiation would promote the orderly administration of Fannie Mae’s or Freddie Mac’s affairs. While the FHFA has indicated that it does not intend to repudiate the guaranty obligations of either entity, doing so could adversely affect holders of their mortgage-backed securities. For example, if a contract were repudiated, the liability for any direct compensatory damages would accrue to the entity’s conservatorship estate and could only be satisfied to the extent the estate had available assets. As a result, if interest payments on Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities held by the fund were reduced because underlying borrowers failed to make payments or such payments were not advanced by a loan servicer, the fund’s only recourse might be against the conservatorship estate, which might not have sufficient assets to offset any shortfalls.

The FHFA, in its capacity as conservator, has the power to transfer or sell any asset or liability of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. The FHFA has indicated it has no current intention to do this; however, should it do so a holder of a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage-backed security would have to rely on another party for satisfaction of the guaranty obligations and would be exposed to the credit risk of that party.

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Certain rights provided to holders of mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac under their operative documents may not be enforceable against the FHFA, or enforcement may be delayed during the course of the conservatorship or any future receivership. For example, the operative documents may provide that upon the occurrence of an event of default by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, holders of a requisite percentage of the mortgage-backed security may replace the entity as trustee. However, under the Federal Housing Finance Regulatory Reform Act of 2008, holders may not enforce this right if the event of default arises solely because a conservator or receiver has been appointed.

Inflation-linked bonds — The fund may invest in inflation-linked bonds issued by governments, their agencies or instrumentalities and corporations.

The principal amount of an inflation-linked bond is adjusted in response to changes in the level of an inflation index, such as the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (“CPURNSA”). If the index measuring inflation falls, the principal value or coupon of these securities will be adjusted downward. Consequently, the interest payable on these securities will be reduced. Also, if the principal value of these securities is adjusted according to the rate of inflation, the adjusted principal value repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal. In the case of U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (“TIPS”), currently the only inflation-linked security that is issued by the U.S Treasury, the principal amounts are adjusted daily based upon changes in the rate of inflation (as currently represented by the non-seasonally adjusted CPURNSA, calculated with a three-month lag). TIPS may pay interest semi-annually, equal to a fixed percentage of the inflation-adjusted principal amount. The interest rate on these bonds is fixed at issuance, but over the life of the bond this interest may be paid on an increasing or decreasing principal amount that has been adjusted for inflation. The current market value of TIPS is not guaranteed and will fluctuate. However, the U.S. government guarantees that, at maturity, principal will be repaid at the higher of the original face value of the security (in the event of deflation) or the inflation adjusted value.

Other non-U.S. sovereign governments also issue inflation-linked securities that are tied to their own local consumer price indexes and that offer similar deflationary protection. In certain of these non-U.S. jurisdictions, the repayment of the original bond principal upon the maturity of an inflation-linked bond is not guaranteed, allowing for the amount of the bond repaid at maturity to be less than par. Corporations also periodically issue inflation-linked securities tied to CPURNSA or similar inflationary indexes. While TIPS and non-U.S. sovereign inflation-linked securities are currently the largest part of the inflation-linked market, the fund may invest in corporate inflation-linked securities.

The value of inflation-linked securities is expected to change in response to the changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates, in turn, are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. If inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates would decline, leading to an increase in value of the inflation-linked securities. In contrast, if nominal interest rates were to increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in value of inflation-linked securities. There can be no assurance, however, that the value of inflation-linked securities will be directly correlated to the changes in interest rates. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation, investors in these securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the security’s inflation measure.

The interest rate for inflation-linked bonds is fixed at issuance as a percentage of this adjustable principal. Accordingly, the actual interest income may both rise and fall as the principal amount of the bonds adjusts in response to movements of the consumer price index. For example, typically interest income would rise during a period of inflation and fall during a period of deflation.

The market for inflation-linked securities may be less developed or liquid, and more volatile, than certain other securities markets. There is a limited number of inflation-linked securities currently

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available for the fund to purchase, making the market less liquid and more volatile than the U.S. Treasury and agency markets.

Forward commitment, when issued and delayed delivery transactions — The fund may enter into commitments to purchase or sell securities at a future date. When the fund agrees to purchase such securities, it assumes the risk of any decline in value of the security from the date of the agreement. If the other party to such a transaction fails to deliver or pay for the securities, the fund could miss a favorable price or yield opportunity, or could experience a loss.

The fund may enter into roll transactions, such as a mortgage dollar roll where the fund sells mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar (same type, coupon, and maturity) securities on a specified future date, at a pre-determined price. During the period between the sale and repurchase (the “roll period”), the fund forgoes principal and interest paid on the mortgage-backed securities. The fund is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”), if any, as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. The fund could suffer a loss if the contracting party fails to perform the future transaction and the fund is therefore unable to buy back the mortgage-backed securities it initially sold. The fund also takes the risk that the mortgage-backed securities that it repurchases at a later date will have less favorable market characteristics than the securities originally sold (e.g., greater prepayment risk). These transactions are accounted for as purchase and sale transactions, which may increase the fund’s portfolio turnover rate.

With to be announced (TBA) transactions, the particular securities (i.e., specified mortgage pools) to be delivered or received are not identified at the trade date, but are “to be announced” at a later settlement date. However, securities to be delivered must meet specified criteria, including face value, coupon rate and maturity, and be within industry-accepted “good delivery” standards.

The fund will not use these transactions for the purpose of leveraging and will segregate liquid assets that will be marked to market daily in an amount sufficient to meet its payment obligations in these transactions. Although these transactions will not be entered into for leveraging purposes, to the extent the fund’s aggregate commitments in connection with these transactions exceed its segregated assets, the fund temporarily could be in a leveraged position (because it may have an amount greater than its net assets subject to market risk). Should market values of the fund’s portfolio securities decline while the fund is in a leveraged position, greater depreciation of its net assets would likely occur than if it were not in such a position. The fund will not borrow money to settle these transactions and, therefore, will liquidate other portfolio securities in advance of settlement if necessary to generate additional cash to meet its obligations. After a transaction is entered into, the fund may still dispose of or renegotiate the transaction. Additionally, prior to receiving delivery of securities as part of a transaction, the fund may sell such securities.

Repurchase agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements, or “repos”, under which the fund buys a security and obtains a simultaneous commitment from the seller to repurchase the security at a specified time and price. Because the security purchased constitutes collateral for the repurchase obligation, a repo may be considered a loan by the fund that is collateralized by the security purchased. Repos permit the fund to maintain liquidity and earn income over periods of time as short as overnight.

The seller must maintain with a custodian collateral equal to at least the repurchase price, including accrued interest. In tri-party repos, a third party custodian, called a clearing bank, facilitates repo clearing and settlement, including by providing collateral management services. However, as an alternative to tri-party repos, the fund could enter into bilateral repos, where the parties themselves are responsible for settling transactions.

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The fund will only enter into repos involving securities of the type in which it could otherwise invest. If the seller under the repo defaults, the fund may incur a loss if the value of the collateral securing the repo has declined and may incur disposition costs and delays in connection with liquidating the collateral. If bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller, realization of the collateral by the fund may be delayed or limited.

Restricted or illiquid securities — The fund may purchase securities subject to restrictions on resale. Restricted securities may only be sold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), or in a registered public offering. Where registration is required, the holder of a registered security may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek registration and the time it may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. Difficulty in selling such securities may result in a loss to the fund or cause it to incur additional administrative costs.

Some fund holdings (including some restricted securities) may be deemed illiquid if the fund expects that a reasonable portion of the holding cannot be sold in seven calendar days or less without the sale significantly changing the market value of the investment. The determination of whether a holding is considered illiquid is made by the fund’s adviser under a liquidity risk management program adopted by the fund’s board and administered by the fund’s adviser. The fund may incur significant additional costs in disposing of illiquid securities.

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Derivatives — In pursuing its investment objective, the fund may invest in derivative instruments. A derivative is a financial instrument, the value of which depends on, or is otherwise derived from, another underlying variable. Most often, the variable underlying a derivative is the price of a traded asset, such as a traditional cash security (e.g., a stock or bond), a currency or a commodity; however, the value of a derivative can be dependent on almost any variable, from the level of an index or a specified rate to the occurrence (or non-occurrence) of a credit event with respect to a specified reference asset. The fund may take positions in futures contracts and interest rate swaps, each of which is a derivative instrument described in greater detail below.

Derivative instruments may be distinguished by the manner in which they trade: some are standardized instruments that trade on an organized exchange while others are individually negotiated and traded in the over-the-counter (OTC) market. Derivatives also range broadly in complexity, from simple derivatives to more complex instruments. As a general matter, however, all derivatives — regardless of the manner in which they trade or their relative complexities — entail certain risks, some of which are different from, and potentially greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in traditional cash securities.

As is the case with traditional cash securities, derivative instruments are generally subject to counterparty credit risk; however, in some cases, derivatives may pose counterparty risks greater than those posed by cash securities. The use of derivatives involves the risk that a loss may be sustained by the fund as a result of the failure of the fund’s counterparty to make required payments or otherwise to comply with its contractual obligations. For some derivatives, though, the value of — and, in effect, the return on — the instrument may be dependent on both the individual credit of the fund’s counterparty and on the credit of one or more issuers of any underlying assets. If the fund does not correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of its counterparty and, where applicable, of issuers of any underlying reference assets, the fund’s investment in a derivative instrument may result in losses. Further, if a fund’s counterparty were to default on its obligations, the fund’s contractual remedies against such counterparty may be subject to applicable bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could affect the fund’s rights as a creditor and delay or impede the fund’s ability to receive the net amount of payments that it is contractually entitled to receive.

The value of some derivative instruments in which the fund invests may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, currency exchange rates or other market conditions. Like the fund’s other investments, the ability of the fund to successfully utilize such derivative instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the fund’s investment adviser to accurately forecast interest rates and other economic factors. The success of the fund’s derivative investment strategy will also depend on the investment adviser’s ability to assess and predict the impact of market or economic developments on the derivative instruments in which the fund invests, in some cases without having had the benefit of observing the performance of a derivative under all possible market conditions. If the investment adviser incorrectly forecasts such factors and has taken positions in derivative instruments contrary to prevailing market trends, or if the investment adviser incorrectly predicts the impact of developments on a derivative instrument, the fund could be exposed to the risk of loss.

Certain derivatives may also be subject to liquidity and valuation risks. The potential lack of a liquid secondary market for a derivative (and, particularly, for an OTC derivative) may cause difficulty in valuing or selling the instrument. If a derivative transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid, as is often the case with many privately-negotiated OTC derivatives, the fund may not be able to initiate a transaction or to liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price. Particularly when there is no liquid secondary market for the fund’s derivative positions, the fund may encounter difficulty in valuing such illiquid positions. The value of a derivative instrument does not always correlate perfectly with its underlying asset, rate or index, and many derivatives, and OTC derivatives in particular, are complex and often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to the fund.

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Because certain derivative instruments may obligate the fund to make one or more potential future payments, which could significantly exceed the value of the fund’s initial investments in such instruments, derivative instruments may also have a leveraging effect on the fund’s portfolio. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, irrespective of the size of the fund’s investment in the instrument. When a fund leverages its portfolio, investments in that fund will tend to be more volatile, resulting in larger gains or losses in response to market changes. In accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, the fund will generally segregate or earmark liquid assets, or enter into offsetting financial positions, to cover its obligations under derivative instruments, effectively limiting the risk of leveraging the fund’s portfolio. Because the fund is legally required to maintain asset coverage or offsetting positions in connection with leveraging derivative instruments, the fund’s investments in such derivatives may also require the fund to buy or sell portfolio securities at disadvantageous times or prices in order to comply with applicable requirements.

Futures — The fund may enter into futures contracts to seek to manage the fund’s interest rate sensitivity by increasing or decreasing the duration of the fund or a portion of the fund’s portfolio. A futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell a security or other financial instrument (the “reference asset”) for a set price on a future date. Futures contracts are standardized, exchange-traded contracts, and, when a futures contract is bought or sold, the fund will incur brokerage fees and will be required to maintain margin deposits.

Unlike when the fund purchases or sells a security, such as a stock or bond, no price is paid or received by the fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. When the fund enters into a futures contract, the fund is required to deposit with its futures broker, known as a futures commission merchant (FCM), a specified amount of liquid assets in a segregated account in the name of the FCM at the applicable derivatives clearinghouse or exchange. This amount, known as initial margin, is set by the futures exchange on which the contract is traded and may be significantly modified during the term of the contract. The initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the futures contract, which is returned to the fund upon termination of the contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Additionally, on a daily basis, the fund pays or receives cash, or variation margin, equal to the daily change in value of the futures contract. Variation margin does not represent a borrowing or loan by the fund but is instead a settlement between the fund and the FCM of the amount one party would owe the other if the futures contract expired. In computing daily net asset value, the fund will mark-to-market its open futures positions. In the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of an FCM that holds margin on behalf of the fund, the fund may be entitled to return of margin owed to it only in proportion to the amount received by the FCM’s other customers, potentially resulting in losses to the fund. An event of bankruptcy or insolvency at a clearinghouse or exchange holding initial margin could also result in losses for the fund.

When the fund invests in futures contracts and deposits margin with an FCM, the fund becomes subject to so-called “fellow customer” risk – that is, the risk that one or more customers of the FCM will default on their obligations and that the resulting losses will be so great that the FCM will default on its obligations and margin posted by one customer, such as the fund, will be used to cover a loss caused by a different defaulting customer. Applicable rules generally prohibit the use of one customer’s funds to meet the obligations of another customer and limit the ability of an FCM to use margin posed by non-defaulting customers to satisfy losses caused by defaulting customers. As a general matter, an FCM is required to use its own funds to meet a defaulting customer’s obligations. While a customer’s loss would likely need to be substantial before non-defaulting customers would be exposed to loss on account of fellow customer risk, applicable rules nevertheless permit the commingling of margin and do not limit the mutualization of customer losses from investment losses, custodial failures, fraud or other causes. If the loss is so great that, notwithstanding the application of an FCM’s own funds, there is a shortfall in the amount of customer funds required to be held in

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segregation, the FCM could default and be placed into bankruptcy. Under these circumstances, bankruptcy law provides that non-defaulting customers will share pro rata in any shortfall. A shortfall in customer segregated funds may also make the transfer of the accounts of non-defaulting customers to another FCM more difficult.

Although certain futures contracts, by their terms, require actual future delivery of and payment for the reference asset, in practice, most futures contracts are usually closed out before the delivery date by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures contracts. Closing out an open futures contract purchase or sale is effected by entering into an offsetting futures contract sale or purchase, respectively, for the same aggregate amount of the identical reference asset and the same delivery date with the same FCM. If the offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price (in each case taking into account transaction costs, including brokerage fees), the fund realizes a gain; if it is more, the fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price (in each case taking into account transaction costs, including brokerage fees), the fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the fund realizes a loss.

The fund is generally required to segregate liquid assets equivalent to the fund’s outstanding obligations under each futures contract. With respect to long positions in futures contracts that are not legally required to cash settle, the fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets in an amount equal to the contract price the fund will be required to pay on settlement less the amount of margin deposited with an FCM. For short positions in futures contracts that are not legally required to cash settle, the fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets in an amount that, when added to the amounts deposited with an FCM as margin, equals the market value of the reference asset underlying the futures contract. With respect to futures contracts that are required to cash settle, however, the fund is permitted to segregate or earmark liquid assets in an amount that, when added to the amounts deposited with an FCM as margin, equals the fund’s daily marked-to-market (net) obligation under the contract (i.e., the daily market value of the contract itself), if any; in other words, the fund may set aside its daily net liability, if any, rather than the notional value of the futures contract. By segregating or earmarking assets equal only to its net obligation under cash-settled futures, the fund may be able to utilize these contracts to a greater extent than if the fund were required to segregate or earmark assets equal to the full contract price or current market value of the futures contract. Such segregation of assets is intended to ensure that the fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to futures contracts and to limit any potential leveraging of the fund’s portfolio. However, segregation of liquid assets will not limit the fund’s exposure to loss. To maintain a sufficient amount of segregated assets, the fund may also have to sell less liquid portfolio securities at disadvantageous prices, and the earmarking of liquid assets will have the effect of limiting the fund’s ability to otherwise invest those assets in other securities or instruments.

The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of its underlying reference asset. Purchasing futures contracts will, therefore, tend to increase the fund’s exposure to positive and negative price fluctuations in the reference asset, much as if the fund had purchased the reference asset directly. When the fund sells a futures contract, by contrast, the value of its futures position will tend to move in a direction contrary to the market for the reference asset. Accordingly, selling futures contracts will tend to offset both positive and negative market price changes, much as if the reference asset had been sold.

There is no assurance that a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. Futures exchanges may establish daily price fluctuation limits for futures contracts and may halt trading if a contract’s price moves upward or downward more than the limit in a given day. On volatile trading days, when the price fluctuation limit is reached and a trading halt is imposed, it may be impossible to enter into new positions or close out existing

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positions. If the market for a futures contract is not liquid because of price fluctuation limits or other market conditions, the fund may be prevented from promptly liquidating unfavorable futures positions and the fund could be required to continue to hold a position until delivery or expiration regardless of changes in its value, potentially subjecting the fund to substantial losses. Additionally, the fund may not be able to take other actions or enter into other transactions to limit or reduce its exposure to the position. Under such circumstances, the fund would remain obligated to meet margin requirements until the position is cleared. As a result, the fund’s access to other assets held to cover its futures positions could also be impaired.

Although futures exchanges generally operate similarly in the United States and abroad, foreign futures exchanges may follow trading, settlement and margin procedures that are different than those followed by futures exchanges in the United States. Futures contracts traded outside the United States may not involve a clearing mechanism or related guarantees and may involve greater risk of loss than U.S.-traded contracts, including potentially greater risk of losses due to insolvency of a futures broker, exchange member, or other party that may owe initial or variation margin to the fund. Margin requirements on foreign futures exchanges may be different than those of futures exchanges in the United States, and, because initial and variation margin payments may be measured in foreign currency, a futures contract traded outside the United States may also involve the risk of foreign currency fluctuations.

Interest rate swaps — The fund may enter into interest rate swaps to seek to manage the interest rate sensitivity of the fund by increasing or decreasing the duration of the fund or a portion of the fund’s portfolio. An interest rate swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange or swap payments based on changes in an interest rate or rates. Typically, one interest rate is fixed and the other is based on a designated short-term interest rate such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), prime rate or other benchmark. Interest rate swaps generally do not involve the delivery of securities or other principal amounts. Rather, cash payments are exchanged by the parties based on the application of the designated interest rates to a notional amount, which is the predetermined dollar principal of the trade upon which payment obligations are computed. Accordingly, the fund’s current obligation or right under the swap agreement is generally equal to the net amount to be paid or received under the swap agreement based on the relative value of the position held by each party. The fund will generally segregate assets with a daily value at least equal to the excess, if any, of the fund’s accrued obligations under the swap agreement over the accrued amount the fund is entitled to receive under the agreement, less the value of any posted margin or collateral on deposit with respect to the position.

The use of interest rate swaps involves certain risks, including losses if interest rate changes are not correctly anticipated by the fund’s investment adviser. To the extent the fund enters into bilaterally negotiated swap transactions, the fund will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain credit standards; however, if the counterparty’s creditworthiness deteriorates rapidly and the counterparty defaults on its obligations under the swap agreement or declares bankruptcy, the fund may lose any amount it expected to receive from the counterparty. Certain interest rate swap transactions are currently subject to mandatory central clearing or may be eligible for voluntary central clearing. Because clearing interposes a central clearinghouse as the ultimate counterparty to each participant’s swap, central clearing is intended to decrease (but not eliminate) counterparty risk relative to uncleared bilateral swaps. Additionally, the term of an interest rate swap can be days, months or years and, as a result, certain swaps may be less liquid than others.

Investing outside the U.S. — Securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States, or with significant operations or revenues outside the United States, may lose value because of adverse political, social, economic or market developments (including social instability, regional conflicts, terrorism and war) in the countries or regions in which the issuers are domiciled, operate or generate revenue. These issuers

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may also be more susceptible to actions of foreign governments such as the imposition of price controls or punitive taxes that could adversely impact the value of these securities. To the extent the fund invests in securities that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, these securities may also lose value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar and/or currencies of other countries. Securities markets in certain countries may be more volatile or less liquid than those in the United States. Investments outside the United States may also be subject to different accounting practices and different regulatory, legal and reporting standards, and may be more difficult to value, than those in the United States. In addition, the value of investments outside the United States may be reduced by foreign taxes, including foreign withholding taxes on interest and dividends. Further, there may be increased risks of delayed settlement of securities purchased or sold by the fund. The risks of investing outside the United States may be heightened in connection with investments in emerging markets.

Additional costs could be incurred in connection with the fund’s investment activities outside the United States. Brokerage commissions may be higher outside the United States, and the fund will bear certain expenses in connection with its currency transactions. Furthermore, increased custodian costs may be associated with maintaining assets in certain jurisdictions.

Investing in emerging markets — Investing in emerging markets may involve risks in addition to and greater than those generally associated with investing in the securities markets of developed countries. For instance, developing countries may have less developed legal and accounting systems than those in developed countries. The governments of these countries may be less stable and more likely to impose capital controls, nationalize a company or industry, place restrictions on foreign ownership and on withdrawing sale proceeds of securities from the country, and/or impose punitive taxes that could adversely affect the prices of securities. In addition, the economies of these countries may be dependent on relatively few industries that are more susceptible to local and global changes. Securities markets in these countries can also be relatively small and have substantially lower trading volumes. As a result, securities issued in these countries may be more volatile and less liquid, and may be more difficult to value, than securities issued in countries with more developed economies and/or markets. Additionally, there may be increased settlement risks for transactions in local securities.

Although there is no universally accepted definition, the investment adviser generally considers an emerging market to be a market that is in the earlier stages of its industrialization cycle with a low per capita gross domestic product (“GDP”) and a low market capitalization to GDP ratio relative to those in the United States and the European Union, and would include markets commonly referred to as “frontier markets.”

Certain risk factors related to emerging markets

Currency fluctuations — Certain emerging markets’ currencies have experienced and in the future may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar. For example, if the U.S. dollar appreciates against foreign currencies, the value of the fund’s emerging markets securities holdings would generally depreciate and vice versa. Further, the fund may lose money due to losses and other expenses incurred in converting various currencies to purchase and sell securities valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, as well as from currency restrictions, exchange control regulation and currency devaluations.

Government regulation — Certain developing countries lack uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting and disclosure standards, have less governmental supervision of financial markets than in the United States, and do not honor legal rights enjoyed in the United States. Certain governments may be more unstable and present greater risks of nationalization or restrictions on foreign ownership of local companies. Repatriation of investment income, capital and the proceeds of sales by foreign investors may require governmental registration

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and/or approval in some developing countries. While the fund will only invest in markets where these restrictions are considered acceptable by the investment adviser, a country could impose new or additional repatriation restrictions after the fund’s investment. If this happened, the fund’s response might include, among other things, applying to the appropriate authorities for a waiver of the restrictions or engaging in transactions in other markets designed to offset the risks of decline in that country. Such restrictions will be considered in relation to the fund’s liquidity needs and other factors. Further, some attractive equity securities may not be available to the fund if foreign shareholders already hold the maximum amount legally permissible.

While government involvement in the private sector varies in degree among developing countries, such involvement may in some cases include government ownership of companies in certain sectors, wage and price controls or imposition of trade barriers and other protectionist measures. With respect to any developing country, there is no guarantee that some future economic or political crisis will not lead to price controls, forced mergers of companies, expropriation, or creation of government monopolies to the possible detriment of the fund’s investments.

Fluctuations in inflation rates — Rapid fluctuations in inflation rates may have negative impacts on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries.

Less developed securities markets — Emerging markets may be less well-developed than other markets. These markets have lower trading volumes than the securities markets of more developed countries and may be unable to respond effectively to increases in trading volume. Consequently, these markets may be substantially less liquid than those of more developed countries, and the securities of issuers located in these markets may have limited marketability. These factors may make prompt liquidation of substantial portfolio holdings difficult or impossible at times.

Settlement risks — Settlement systems in developing countries are generally less well organized than those of developed markets. Supervisory authorities may also be unable to apply standards comparable to those in developed markets. Thus, there may be risks that settlement may be delayed and that cash or securities belonging to the fund may be in jeopardy because of failures of or defects in the systems. In particular, market practice may require that payment be made before receipt of the security being purchased or that delivery of a security be made before payment is received. In such cases, default by a broker or bank (the “counterparty”) through whom the transaction is effected might cause the fund to suffer a loss. The fund will seek, where possible, to use counterparties whose financial status is such that this risk is reduced. However, there can be no certainty that the fund will be successful in eliminating this risk, particularly as counterparties operating in developing countries frequently lack the standing or financial resources of those in developed countries. There may also be a danger that, because of uncertainties in the operation of settlement systems in individual markets, competing claims may arise with respect to securities held by or to be transferred to the fund.

Insufficient market information — The fund may encounter problems assessing investment opportunities in certain emerging markets in light of limitations on available information and different accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards. In such circumstances, the fund’s investment adviser will seek alternative sources of information, and to the extent the investment adviser is not satisfied with the sufficiency of the information obtained with respect to a particular market or security, the fund will not invest in such market or security.

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Taxation — Taxation of dividends, interest and capital gains received by the fund varies among developing countries and, in some cases, is comparatively high. In addition, developing countries typically have less well-defined tax laws and procedures and such laws may permit retroactive taxation so that the fund could become subject in the future to local tax liability that it had not reasonably anticipated in conducting its investment activities or valuing its assets.

Litigation — The fund and its shareholders may encounter substantial difficulties in obtaining and enforcing judgments against individuals residing outside of the U.S. and companies domiciled outside of the U.S.

Fraudulent securities — Securities purchased by the fund may subsequently be found to be fraudulent or counterfeit, resulting in a loss to the fund.

Real estate investment trusts — Real estate investment trusts ("REITs"), which primarily invest in real estate or real estate-related loans, may issue equity or debt securities. Equity REITs own real estate properties, while mortgage REITs hold construction, development and/or long-term mortgage loans. The values of REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property of the trusts, the creditworthiness of the issuer, property taxes, interest rates, tax laws and regulatory requirements, such as those relating to the environment. Both types of REITs are dependent upon management skill and the cash flows generated by their holdings, the real estate market in general and the possibility of failing to qualify for any applicable pass-through tax treatment or failing to maintain any applicable exemptive status afforded under relevant laws.

Cash and cash equivalents — The fund may hold cash or invest in cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include, but are not limited to: (a) shares of money market or similar funds managed by the investment adviser or its affiliates; (b) shares of other money market funds; (c) commercial paper; (d) short-term bank obligations (for example, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances (time drafts on a commercial bank where the bank accepts an irrevocable obligation to pay at maturity)) or bank notes; (e) savings association and savings bank obligations (for example, bank notes and certificates of deposit issued by savings banks or savings associations); (f) securities of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities that mature, or that may be redeemed, in one year or less; and (g) higher quality corporate bonds and notes that mature, or that may be redeemed, in one year or less.

Commercial paper — The fund may purchase commercial paper. Commercial paper refers to short-term promissory notes issued by a corporation to finance its current operations. Such securities normally have maturities of thirteen months or less and, though commercial paper is often unsecured, commercial paper may be supported by letters of credit, surety bonds or other forms of collateral. Maturing commercial paper issuances are usually repaid by the issuer from the proceeds of new commercial paper issuances. As a result, investment in commercial paper is subject to rollover risk, or the risk that the issuer cannot issue enough new commercial paper to satisfy its outstanding commercial paper. Like all fixed income securities, commercial paper prices are susceptible to fluctuations in interest rates. If interest rates rise, commercial paper prices will decline and vice versa. However, the short-term nature of a commercial paper investment makes it less susceptible to volatility than many other fixed income securities because interest rate risk typically increases as maturity lengths increase. Commercial paper tends to yield smaller returns than longer-term corporate debt because securities with shorter maturities typically have lower effective yields than those with longer maturities. As with all fixed income securities, there is a chance that the issuer will default on its commercial paper obligations and commercial paper may become illiquid or suffer from reduced liquidity in these or other situations.

Commercial paper in which the fund may invest includes commercial paper issued in reliance on the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act. Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper has substantially the same price and liquidity characteristics as commercial paper generally,

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except that the resale of Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper is limited to institutional investors who agree that they are purchasing the paper for investment purposes and not with a view to public distribution. Technically, such a restriction on resale renders Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper a restricted security under the 1933 Act. In practice, however, Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper typically can be resold as easily as any other unrestricted security held by the fund. Accordingly, Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper has been generally determined to be liquid under procedures adopted by the fund’s board of trustees.

Variable and floating rate obligations — The interest rates payable on certain securities and other instruments in which the fund may invest may not be fixed but may fluctuate based upon changes in market interest rates or credit ratings. Variable and floating rate obligations bear coupon rates that are adjusted at designated intervals, based on the then current market interest rates or credit ratings. The rate adjustment features tend to limit the extent to which the market value of the obligations will fluctuate. When the fund holds variable or floating rate securities, a decrease in market interest rates will adversely affect the income received from such securities and the net asset value of the fund’s shares.

The London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) is one of the most widely used interest rate benchmarks and is intended to represent the rate at which contributing banks may obtain short-term borrowings from each other in the London interbank market. On July 27, 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced that the FCA will no longer persuade or compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. As a result, post-2021, LIBOR may no longer be available or may no longer be deemed an appropriate reference rate upon which to determine the interest rate on certain loans, bonds, derivatives and other instruments in the fund’s portfolio. In light of this eventuality, public and private sector industry initiatives are currently underway to identify new or alternative reference rates to be used in place of LIBOR. There is no assurance that the composition or characteristics of any such alternative reference rate will be similar to or produce the same value or economic equivalence as LIBOR or that instruments using an alternative rate will have the same volume or liquidity. This, in turn, may affect the value or return on certain of the fund’s investments, result in costs incurred in connection with closing out positions and entering into new trades and reduce the effectiveness of related fund transactions such as hedges. These risks may also apply with respect to potential changes in connection with other interbank offering rates (e.g., Euribor) and other indices, rates and values that may be used as “benchmarks” and are the subject of recent regulatory reform.

Maturity — There are no restrictions on the maturity composition of the portfolio. Under normal market conditions, longer term securities yield more than shorter term securities, but are subject to greater price fluctuations.

Adjustment of maturities — The investment adviser seeks to anticipate movements in interest rates and may adjust the maturity distribution of the portfolio accordingly, keeping in mind the fund’s objectives.

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Cybersecurity risks — With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to conduct business, the fund has become potentially more susceptible to operational and information security risks through breaches in cybersecurity. In general, a breach in cybersecurity can result from either a deliberate attack or an unintentional event. Cybersecurity breaches may involve, among other things, infection by computer viruses or other malicious software code or unauthorized access to the fund’s digital information systems, networks or devices through “hacking” or other means, in each case for the purpose of misappropriating assets or sensitive information (including, for example, personal shareholder information), corrupting data or causing operational disruption or failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support the fund. Cybersecurity risks also include the risk of losses of service resulting from external attacks that do not require unauthorized access to the fund’s systems, networks or devices. For example, denial-of-service attacks on the investment adviser’s or an affiliate’s website could effectively render the fund’s network services unavailable to fund shareholders and other intended end-users. Any such cybersecurity breaches or losses of service may cause the fund to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption or lose operational capacity, which, in turn, could cause the fund to incur regulatory penalties, reputational damage, additional compliance costs associated with corrective measures and/or financial loss. While the fund and its investment adviser have established business continuity plans and risk management systems designed to prevent or reduce the impact of cybersecurity attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems due in part to the ever-changing nature of technology and cybersecurity attack tactics, and there is a possibility that certain risks have not been adequately identified or prepared for.

In addition, cybersecurity failures by or breaches of the fund’s third-party service providers (including, but not limited to, the fund’s investment adviser, transfer agent, custodian, administrators and other financial intermediaries) may disrupt the business operations of the service providers and of the fund, potentially resulting in financial losses, the inability of fund shareholders to transact business with the fund and of the fund to process transactions, the inability of the fund to calculate its net asset value, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, rules and regulations, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensatory costs and/or additional compliance costs associated with implementation of any corrective measures. The fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result of any such cybersecurity breaches, and there can be no assurance that the fund will not suffer losses relating to cybersecurity attacks or other informational security breaches affecting the fund’s third-party service providers in the future, particularly as the fund cannot control any cybersecurity plans or systems implemented by such service providers.

Cybersecurity risks may also impact issuers of securities in which the fund invests, which may cause the fund’s investments in such issuers to lose value.

Interfund borrowing and lending — Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund may lend money to, and borrow money from, other funds advised by Capital Research and Management Company or its affiliates. The fund will borrow through the program only when the costs are equal to or lower than the costs of bank loans. The fund will lend through the program only when the returns are higher than those available from an investment in repurchase agreements. Interfund loans and borrowings normally extend overnight, but can have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be called on one day's notice. The fund may have to borrow from a bank at a higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not renewed. Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.

* * * * * *

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Portfolio turnover — Portfolio changes will be made without regard to the length of time particular investments may have been held. Short-term trading profits are not the fund’s objective, and changes in its investments are generally accomplished gradually, though short-term transactions may occasionally be made. Higher portfolio turnover may involve correspondingly greater transaction costs in the form of dealer spreads or brokerage commissions. It may also result in the realization of net capital gains, which are taxable when distributed to shareholders, unless the shareholder is exempt from taxation or his or her account is tax-favored.

Fixed income securities are generally traded on a net basis and usually neither brokerage commissions nor transfer taxes are involved. Transaction costs are usually reflected in the spread between the bid and asked price. Certain investments, such as to be announced contracts and mortgage dollar rolls may increase a fund’s portfolio turnover rate.

The fund’s portfolio turnover rates for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018 were 605% and 1009%, respectively. The decrease in turnover was due to decreased trading activity during the period. The fund’s portfolio turnover rate excluding mortgage dollar roll transactions for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 was 129%. See "Forward commitment, when issued and delayed delivery transactions" above for more information on mortgage dollar rolls. The portfolio turnover rate would equal 100% if each security in a fund’s portfolio were replaced once per year. See “Financial highlights” in the prospectus for the fund’s annual portfolio turnover rate for each of the last five fiscal years.

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Fund policies

All percentage limitations in the following fund policies are considered at the time securities are purchased and are based on the fund’s net assets unless otherwise indicated. None of the following policies involving a maximum percentage of assets will be considered violated unless the excess occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition by the fund. In managing the fund, the fund’s investment adviser may apply more restrictive policies than those listed below.

Fundamental policies — The fund has adopted the following policies, which may not be changed without approval by holders of a majority of its outstanding shares. Such majority is currently defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a shareholder meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present in person or by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities.

1. Except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, or other successor law governing the regulation of registered investment companies, or interpretations or modifications thereof by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction, the fund may not:

a. Borrow money;

b. Issue senior securities;

c. Underwrite the securities of other issuers;

d. Purchase or sell real estate or commodities;

e. Make loans; or

f. Purchase the securities of any issuer if, as a result of such purchase, the fund’s investments would be concentrated in any particular industry.

2. The fund may not invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or management.

Nonfundamental policies — The following policy may be changed without shareholder approval:

The fund may not acquire securities of open-end investment companies or unit investment trusts registered under the 1940 Act in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act.

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Additional information about the fund’s policies — The information below is not part of the fund’s fundamental or nonfundamental policies. This information is intended to provide a summary of what is currently required or permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, or by the interpretive guidance thereof by the SEC or SEC staff, for particular fundamental policies of the fund. Information is also provided regarding the fund’s current intention with respect to certain investment practices permitted by the 1940 Act.

For purposes of fundamental policy 1a, the fund may borrow money in amounts of up to 33-1/3% of its total assets from banks for any purpose. Additionally, the fund may borrow up to 5% of its total assets from banks or other lenders for temporary purposes (a loan is presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within 60 days and is not extended or renewed). The percentage limitations in this policy are considered at the time of borrowing and thereafter.

For purposes of fundamental policies 1a and 1e, the fund may borrow money from, or loan money to, other funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company or its affiliates to the extent permitted by applicable law and an exemptive order issued by the SEC.

For purposes of fundamental policy 1b, a senior security does not include any promissory note or evidence of indebtedness if such loan is for temporary purposes only and in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the total assets of the fund at the time the loan is made (a loan is presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within 60 days and is not extended or renewed). Further, to the extent the fund covers its commitments under certain types of agreements and transactions, including derivatives, mortgage-dollar-roll transactions, sale-buybacks, when-issued, delayed-delivery, or forward commitment transactions, and other similar trading practices, by segregating or earmarking liquid assets equal in value to the amount of the fund’s commitment (in accordance with applicable SEC or SEC staff guidance), such agreement or transaction will not be considered a senior security by the fund.

For purposes of fundamental policy 1c, the policy will not apply to the fund to the extent the fund may be deemed an underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act in connection with the purchase and sale of fund portfolio securities in the ordinary course of pursuing its investment objectives and strategies.

For purposes of fundamental policy 1e, the fund may not lend more than 33-1/3% of its total assets, provided that this limitation shall not apply to the fund’s purchase of debt obligations.

For purposes of fundamental policy 1f, the fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the securities of issuers in a particular industry. This policy does not apply to investments in securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or government sponsored enterprises or repurchase agreements with respect thereto.

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Management of the fund

Board of trustees and officers

Independent trustees1

The fund’s nominating and governance committee and board select independent trustees with a view toward constituting a board that, as a body, possesses the qualifications, skills, attributes and experience to appropriately oversee the actions of the fund’s service providers, decide upon matters of general policy and represent the long-term interests of fund shareholders. In doing so, they consider the qualifications, skills, attributes and experience of the current board members, with a view toward maintaining a board that is diverse in viewpoint, experience, education and skills.

The fund seeks independent trustees who have high ethical standards and the highest levels of integrity and commitment, who have inquiring and independent minds, mature judgment, good communication skills, and other complementary personal qualifications and skills that enable them to function effectively in the context of the fund’s board and committee structure and who have the ability and willingness to dedicate sufficient time to effectively fulfill their duties and responsibilities.

Each independent trustee has a significant record of accomplishments in governance, business, not-for-profit organizations, government service, academia, law, accounting or other professions. Although no single list could identify all experience upon which the fund’s independent trustees draw in connection with their service, the following table summarizes key experience for each independent trustee. These references to the qualifications, attributes and skills of the trustees are pursuant to the disclosure requirements of the SEC, and shall not be deemed to impose any greater responsibility or liability on any trustee or the board as a whole. Notwithstanding the accomplishments listed below, none of the independent trustees is considered an “expert” within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to information in the fund’s registration statement.

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Name, year of birth
and position with fund (year first elected as a trustee2)
Principal
occupation(s)
during the
past five years
Number of
portfolios in fund complex
overseen
by
trustee
Other directorships3 held
by trustee during the past five years
Other relevant experience
William H. Baribault, 1945
Trustee (2010)
Chairman of the Board and CEO, Oakwood Advisors (private investment and consulting); former CEO and President, Richard Nixon Foundation 88 General Finance Corporation

·  Service as chief executive officer for multiple companies

·  Corporate board experience

·  Service on advisory and trustee boards for charitable, educational and nonprofit organizations

James G. Ellis, 1947
Trustee (2010)
Professor of Marketing and former Dean, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California 98

Mercury General Corporation

Former director of Quiksilver, Inc. (until 2014)

·  Service as chief executive officer for multiple companies

·  Corporate board experience

·  Service on advisory and trustee boards for charitable, municipal and nonprofit organizations

·  MBA

Nariman Farvardin, 1956
Trustee (2018)
President, Stevens Institute of Technology 85 Former director of JPMorgan Value Opportunities Fund, Inc. (until 2014)

·  Senior management experience, educational institution

·  Corporate board experience

·  Professor, electrical and computer engineering

·  Service on advisory boards and councils for educational, nonprofit and governmental organizations

·  MS, PhD, electrical engineering

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Name, year of birth
and position with fund (year first elected as a trustee2)
Principal
occupation(s)
during the
past five years
Number of
portfolios in fund complex
overseen
by
trustee
Other directorships3 held
by trustee during the past five years
Other relevant experience
Mary Davis Holt, 1950
Trustee (2015-2016; 2017)
Principal, Mary Davis Holt Enterprises, LLC (leadership development consulting); former Partner, Flynn Heath Holt Leadership, LLC (leadership consulting); former COO, Time Life Inc. (1993–2003) 85 None

·  Service as chief operations officer, global media company

·  Senior corporate management experience

·  Corporate board experience

·  Service on advisory and trustee boards for educational, business and nonprofit organizations

·  MBA

R. Clark Hooper, 1946
Trustee (2010)
Private investor 88 Former director of JPMorgan Value Opportunities Fund, Inc. (until 2014); The Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc. (until 2016)

·  Senior regulatory and management experience, National Association of Securities Dealers (now FINRA)

·  Service on trustee boards for charitable, educational and nonprofit organizations

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Name, year of birth
and position with fund (year first elected as a trustee2)
Principal
occupation(s)
during the
past five years
Number of
portfolios in fund complex
overseen
by
trustee
Other directorships3 held
by trustee during the past five years
Other relevant experience
Merit E. Janow, 1958
Trustee (2010)
Dean and Professor, Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs 87

Mastercard Incorporated; Trimble Inc.

Former director of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (until 2016)

·  Service with Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. Department of Justice

·  Corporate board experience

·  Service on advisory and trustee boards for charitable, educational and nonprofit organizations

·  Experience as corporate lawyer

·  JD

Margaret Spellings, 1957
Chairman of the Board (Independent and Non-Executive) (2010)
CEO, Texas 2036; former President, Margaret Spellings & Company (public policy and strategic consulting); former President, The University of North Carolina; former President, George W. Bush Foundation 89 Former director of ClubCorp Holdings, Inc. (until 2017)

·  Former U.S. Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education

·  Former Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, The White House

·  Former senior advisor to the Governor of Texas

·  Service on advisory and trustee boards for charitable and nonprofit organizations

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 25


 
 

 

         
Name, year of birth
and position with fund (year first elected as a trustee2)
Principal
occupation(s)
during the
past five years
Number of
portfolios in fund complex
overseen
by
trustee
Other directorships3 held
by trustee during the past five years
Other relevant experience
Alexandra Trower, 1964
Trustee (2018)
Executive Vice President, Global Communications and Corporate Officer, The Estée Lauder Companies 84 None

·  Service on trustee boards for charitable and nonprofit organizations

·  Senior corporate management experience

·  Branding

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 26


 
 

 

 

Interested trustee(s)4,5

Interested trustees have similar qualifications, skills and attributes as the independent trustees. Interested trustees are senior executive officers and/or directors of Capital Research and Management Company or its affiliates. Such management roles with the fund’s service providers also permit the interested trustees to make a significant contribution to the fund’s board.

       
Name, year of birth
and position with fund
(year first elected as a trustee/officer2)
Principal occupation(s)
during the
past five years
and positions
held with affiliated
entities or the
Principal Underwriter
of the fund
Number of
portfolios3
in fund complex overseen
by trustee
Other directorships4
held by trustee
during the
past five years
Michael C. Gitlin, 1970
Trustee (2015)
Vice Chairman and Director, Capital Research and Management Company; Partner – Capital Fixed Income Investors, Capital Research and Management Company; Director, The Capital Group Companies, Inc.*; served as Head of Fixed Income at a large investment management firm prior to joining Capital Research and Management Company in 2015 84 None
Karl J. Zeile, 1966
Trustee (2019)
Partner – Capital Fixed Income Investors, Capital Research and Management Company 20 None

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 27


 
 

 

Other officers5

   
Name, year of birth
and position with fund
(year first elected
as an officer2)
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
and positions held with affiliated entities
or the Principal Underwriter of the fund
David J. Betanzos, 1974
President (2014)
Partner – Capital Fixed Income Investors, Capital Research and Management Company
Kristine M. Nishiyama, 1970
Executive Vice President (2010)
Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel – Fund Business Management Group, Capital Research and Management Company; Chair, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Director, Capital Bank and Trust Company*
Fergus N. MacDonald, 1969
Senior Vice President (2010)
Partner – Capital Fixed Income Investors, Capital Research and Management Company; Director, The Capital Group Companies, Inc.*
Steven I. Koszalka, 1964
Secretary (2010)
Vice President – Fund Business Management Group, Capital Research and Management Company
Brian C. Janssen, 1972
Treasurer (2012)
Vice President – Investment Operations, Capital Research and Management Company
Jane Y. Chung, 1974
Assistant Secretary (2014)
Associate – Fund Business Management Group, Capital Research and Management Company
Sandra Chuon, 1972
Assistant Treasurer (2019)
Assistant Vice President – Investment Operations, Capital Research and Management Company
Gregory F. Niland, 1971
Assistant Treasurer (2015)
Vice President - Investment Operations, Capital Research and Management Company

* Company affiliated with Capital Research and Management Company.

1 The term independent trustee refers to a trustee who is not an “interested person” of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act.

Trustees and officers of the fund serve until their resignation, removal or retirement.

3 This includes all directorships/trusteeships (other than those in the American Funds or other funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company or its affiliates) that are held by each trustee as a director/trustee of a public company or a registered investment company. Unless otherwise noted, all directorships/trusteeships are current.

4 The term interested trustee refers to a trustee who is an “interested person” of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act, on the basis of his or her affiliation with the fund’s investment adviser, Capital Research and Management Company, or affiliated entities (including the fund’s principal underwriter).

5 All of the trustees and/or officers listed are officers and/or directors/trustees of one or more of the other funds for which Capital Research and Management Company serves as investment adviser.

The address for all trustees and officers of the fund is 333 South Hope Street, 55th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90071, Attention: Secretary.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 28


 
 

 

 

Fund shares owned by trustees as of December 31, 2018:

         
Name Dollar range1,2
of fund
shares owned
Aggregate
dollar range1
of shares
owned in
all funds
in the
American Funds
family overseen
by trustee
Dollar
range1,2 of
independent
trustees
deferred compensation3 allocated
to fund
Aggregate
dollar
range1,2 of
independent
trustees
deferred
compensation3 allocated to
all funds
within
American Funds
family overseen
by trustee
Independent trustees
William H. Baribault None $50,001 – $100,000 N/A Over $100,000
James G. Ellis None Over $100,000 N/A N/A
Nariman Farvardin None Over $100,000 N/A Over $100,000
Mary Davis Holt None Over $100,000 N/A N/A
R. Clark Hooper None Over $100,000 N/A Over $100,000
Merit E. Janow None Over $100,000 N/A N/A
Margaret Spellings None Over $100,000 N/A Over $100,000
Alexandra Trower None Over $100,000 N/A Over $100,000
     
Name Dollar range1,2
of fund
shares owned
Aggregate
dollar range1
of shares
owned in
all funds
in the
American Funds
family overseen
by trustee
Interested trustees
Michael C. Gitlin Over $100,000 Over $100,000
Karl J. Zeile $10,001 – $50,000 Over $100,000
 

1 Ownership disclosure is made using the following ranges: None; $1 – $10,000; $10,001 – $50,000; $50,001 – $100,000; and Over $100,000. The amounts listed for interested trustees include shares owned through The Capital Group Companies, Inc. retirement plan and 401(k) plan.

2  N/A indicates that the listed individual, as of December 31, 2018, was not a trustee of a particular fund, did not allocate deferred compensation to the fund or did not participate in the deferred compensation plan.

3 Eligible trustees may defer their compensation under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan. Amounts deferred by the trustee accumulate at an earnings rate determined by the total return of one or more American Funds as designated by the trustee.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 29


 
 

 

 

Trustee compensation — No compensation is paid by the fund to any officer or trustee who is a director, officer or employee of the investment adviser or its affiliates. Except for the independent trustees listed in the “Board of trustees and officers — Independent trustees” table under the “Management of the fund” section in this statement of additional information, all other officers and trustees of the fund are directors, officers or employees of the investment adviser or its affiliates. The boards of funds advised by the investment adviser typically meet either individually or jointly with the boards of one or more other such funds with substantially overlapping board membership (in each case referred to as a “board cluster”). The fund typically pays each independent trustee an annual fee, which ranges from $993 to $2,116, based primarily on the total number of board clusters on which that independent trustee serves.

In addition, the fund generally pays independent trustees attendance and other fees for meetings of the board and its committees. Board and committee chairs receive additional fees for their services.

Independent trustees also receive attendance fees for certain special joint meetings and information sessions with directors and trustees of other groupings of funds advised by the investment adviser. The fund and the other funds served by each independent trustee each pay an equal portion of these attendance fees.

No pension or retirement benefits are accrued as part of fund expenses. Independent trustees may elect, on a voluntary basis, to defer all or a portion of their fees through a deferred compensation plan in effect for the fund. The fund also reimburses certain expenses of the independent trustees.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 30


 
 

 

 

Trustee compensation earned during the year ended August 31, 2019:

     
Name Aggregate compensation
(including voluntarily
deferred compensation1)
from the fund
Total compensation (including
voluntarily deferred
compensation1)
from all funds managed by
Capital Research and
Management
Company or its affiliates
William H. Baribault2 $2,887 $416,845
James G. Ellis 2,918 451,095
Nariman Farvardin2 2,806 365,545
Leonard R. Fuller2
(retired December 31, 2018)
1,383 203,345
Mary Davis Holt 2,738 343,045
R. Clark Hooper2 2,867 452,020
Merit E. Janow 2,626 376,345
Laurel B. Mitchell2
3,353 340,945
Frank M. Sanchez
(retired December 31, 2018)
1,786 158,095
Margaret Spellings2 2,713 469,870
Alexandra Trower2 8,374 307,095

Amounts may be deferred by eligible trustees under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan adopted by the fund in 2010. Deferred amounts accumulate at an earnings rate determined by the total return of one or more American Funds as designated by the trustees. Compensation shown in this table for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 does not include earnings on amounts deferred in previous fiscal years. See footnote 2 to this table for more information.

2  Since the deferred compensation plan’s adoption, the total amount of deferred compensation accrued by the fund (plus earnings thereon) through the end of the 2019 fiscal year for participating trustees is as follows: William H. Baribault ($437), Nariman Farvardin ($4,224), Leonard R. Fuller ($1,587), R. Clark Hooper ($2,676), Laurel B. Mitchell ($1,499), Margaret Spellings ($2,621) and Alexandra Trower ($15,168). Amounts deferred and accumulated earnings thereon are not funded and are general unsecured liabilities of the fund until paid to the trustees.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 31


 
 

 

 

Fund organization and the board of trustees — The fund, an open-end, diversified management investment company, was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 16, 2010.

Delaware law charges trustees with the duty of managing the business affairs of the trust. Trustees are considered to be fiduciaries of the trust and owe duties of care and loyalty to the trust and its shareholders.

Independent board members are paid certain fees for services rendered to the fund as described above. They may elect to defer all or a portion of these fees through a deferred compensation plan in effect for the fund.

The fund has several different classes of shares. Shares of each class represent an interest in the same investment portfolio. Each class has pro rata rights as to voting, redemption, dividends and liquidation, except that each class bears different distribution expenses and may bear different transfer agent fees and other expenses properly attributable to the particular class as approved by the board of trustees and set forth in the fund’s rule 18f-3 Plan. Each class’ shareholders have exclusive voting rights with respect to the respective class’ rule 12b-1 plans adopted in connection with the distribution of shares and on other matters in which the interests of one class are different from interests in another class. Shares of all classes of the fund vote together on matters that affect all classes in substantially the same manner. Each class votes as a class on matters that affect that class alone. Note that 529 college savings plan account owners invested in Class 529 shares are not shareholders of the fund and, accordingly, do not have the rights of a shareholder, such as the right to vote proxies relating to fund shares. As the legal owner of the fund’s Class 529 shares, Virginia College Savings PlanSM (Virginia529SM) will vote any proxies relating to the fund’s Class 529 shares. In addition, the trustees have the authority to establish new series and classes of shares, and to split or combine outstanding shares into a greater or lesser number, without shareholder approval.

The fund does not hold annual meetings of shareholders. However, significant matters that require shareholder approval, such as certain elections of board members or a change in a fundamental investment policy, will be presented to shareholders at a meeting called for such purpose. Shareholders have one vote per share owned.

The fund’s declaration of trust and by-laws, as well as separate indemnification agreements with independent trustees, provide in effect that, subject to certain conditions, the fund will indemnify its officers and trustees against liabilities or expenses actually and reasonably incurred by them relating to their service to the fund. However, trustees are not protected from liability by reason of their willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their office.

Removal of trustees by shareholders — At any meeting of shareholders, duly called and at which a quorum is present, shareholders may, by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast, remove any trustee from office and may elect a successor or successors to fill any resulting vacancies for the unexpired terms of removed trustees. In addition, the trustees of the fund will promptly call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the removal of any trustees when requested in writing to do so by the record holders of at least 10% of the outstanding shares.

Leadership structure — The board’s chair is currently an independent trustee who is not an “interested person” of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The board has determined that an independent chair facilitates oversight and enhances the effectiveness of the board. The independent chair’s duties include, without limitation, generally presiding at meetings of the board, approving board meeting schedules and agendas, leading meetings of the independent trustees in executive session, facilitating communication with committee chairs, and serving as the principal independent trustee contact for fund management and counsel to the independent trustees and the fund.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 32


 
 

 

Risk oversight — Day-to-day management of the fund, including risk management, is the responsibility of the fund’s contractual service providers, including the fund’s investment adviser, principal underwriter/distributor and transfer agent. Each of these entities is responsible for specific portions of the fund’s operations, including the processes and associated risks relating to the fund’s investments, integrity of cash movements, financial reporting, operations and compliance. The board of trustees oversees the service providers’ discharge of their responsibilities, including the processes they use to manage relevant risks. In that regard, the board receives reports regarding the operations of the fund’s service providers, including risks. For example, the board receives reports from investment professionals regarding risks related to the fund’s investments and trading. The board also receives compliance reports from the fund’s and the investment adviser’s chief compliance officers addressing certain areas of risk.

Committees of the fund’s board, which are comprised of independent board members, none of whom is an “interested person” of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act, as well as joint committees of independent board members of funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company, also explore risk management procedures in particular areas and then report back to the full board. For example, the fund’s audit committee oversees the processes and certain attendant risks relating to financial reporting, valuation of fund assets, and related controls. Similarly, a joint review and advisory committee oversees certain risk controls relating to the fund’s transfer agency services.

Not all risks that may affect the fund can be identified or processes and controls developed to eliminate or mitigate their effect. Moreover, it is necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the fund’s objectives. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the ability of the fund’s service providers to eliminate or mitigate risks is subject to limitations.

Committees of the board of trustees — The fund has an audit committee comprised of William H. Baribault, Mary Davis Holt and Alexandra Trower. The committee provides oversight regarding the fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, its internal controls and the internal controls of the fund’s principal service providers. The committee acts as a liaison between the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and the full board of trustees. The audit committee held five meetings during the 2019 fiscal year.

The fund has a contracts committee comprised of all of its independent board members. The committee’s principal function is to request, review and consider the information deemed necessary to evaluate the terms of certain agreements between the fund and its investment adviser or the investment adviser’s affiliates, such as the Investment Advisory and Service Agreement, Principal Underwriting Agreement, Administrative Services Agreement and Plans of Distribution adopted pursuant to rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, that the fund may enter into, renew or continue, and to make its recommendations to the full board of trustees on these matters. The contracts committee held one meeting during the 2019 fiscal year.

The fund has a nominating and governance committee comprised of James G. Ellis, Nariman Farvardin, R. Clark Hooper, Merit E. Janow and Margaret Spellings. The committee periodically reviews such issues as the board’s composition, responsibilities, committees, compensation and other relevant issues, and recommends any appropriate changes to the full board of trustees. The committee also evaluates, selects and nominates independent trustee candidates to the full board of trustees. While the committee normally is able to identify from its own and other resources an ample number of qualified candidates, it will consider shareholder suggestions of persons to be considered as nominees to fill future vacancies on the board. Such suggestions must be sent in writing to the nominating and governance committee of the fund, addressed to the fund’s secretary, and must be accompanied by complete biographical and occupational data on the prospective nominee, along with a written consent of the prospective nominee for consideration of his or her name by the committee. The nominating and governance committee held two meetings during the 2019 fiscal year.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 33


 
 

 

The independent board members of the fund have oversight responsibility for the fund and certain other funds managed by the investment adviser. As part of their oversight responsibility for these funds, each independent board member sits on one of three fund review committees comprised solely of independent board members. The three committees are divided by portfolio type. Each committee functions independently and is not a decision making body. The purpose of the committees is to assist the board of each fund in the oversight of the investment management services provided by the investment adviser. In addition to regularly monitoring and reviewing investment results, investment activities and strategies used to manage the fund’s assets, the committees also receive reports from the investment adviser’s Principal Investment Officers for the funds, portfolio managers and other investment personnel concerning efforts to achieve the fund’s investment objectives. Each committee reports to the full board of the fund.

Proxy voting procedures and principles — The fund’s investment adviser, in consultation with the fund’s board, has adopted Proxy Voting Procedures and Principles (the “Principles”) with respect to voting proxies of securities held by the fund, other American Funds and American Funds Insurance Series. The complete text of these principles is available on the American Funds, by Capital Group, website at capitalgroup.com. Proxies are voted by a committee of the appropriate equity investment division of the investment adviser under authority delegated by the funds’ boards. The boards of American Funds have established a Joint Proxy Committee (“JPC”) composed of independent board members from each American Funds board. The JPC’s role is to facilitate appropriate oversight of the proxy voting process and provide valuable input on corporate governance and related matters.

The Principles, which have been in effect in substantially their current form for many years, provide an important framework for analysis and decision-making by all funds. However, they are not exhaustive and do not address all potential issues. The Principles provide a certain amount of flexibility so that all relevant facts and circumstances can be considered in connection with every vote. As a result, each proxy received is voted on a case-by-case basis considering the specific circumstances of each proposal. The voting process reflects the funds’ understanding of the company’s business, its management and its relationship with shareholders over time.

The investment adviser seeks to vote all U.S. proxies; however, in certain circumstances it may be impracticable or impossible to do so. Proxies for companies outside the U.S. also are voted, provided there is sufficient time and information available. After a proxy statement is received, the investment adviser prepares a summary of the proposals contained in the proxy statement. A notation of any potential conflicts of interest also is included in the summary (see below for a description of Capital Research and Management Company’s special review procedures).

For proxies of securities managed by a particular equity investment division of the investment adviser, the initial voting recommendation is made by one or more of the division’s investment analysts familiar with the company and industry. A second recommendation is made by a proxy coordinator (an investment analyst or other individual with experience in corporate governance and proxy voting matters) within the appropriate investment division, based on knowledge of these Principles and familiarity with proxy-related issues. The proxy summary and voting recommendations are made available to the appropriate proxy voting committee for a final voting decision. In cases where a fund is co-managed and a security is held by more than one of the investment adviser’s equity investment divisions, the divisions may develop different voting recommendations for individual ballot proposals. If this occurs, and if permitted by local market conventions, the fund’s position will generally be voted proportionally by divisional holding, according to their respective decisions. Otherwise, the outcome will be determined by the equity investment division or divisions with the larger position in the security as of the record date for the shareholder meeting.

In addition to its proprietary proxy voting, governance and executive compensation research, Capital Research and Management Company may utilize research provided by Institutional Shareholder Services, Glass-Lewis & Co. or other third-party advisory firms on a case-by-case basis. It does not, as a

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 34


 
 

 

policy, follow the voting recommendations provided by these firms. It periodically assesses the information provided by the advisory firms and reports to the JPC, as appropriate.

From time to time the investment adviser may vote proxies issued by, or on proposals sponsored or publicly supported by (a) a client with substantial assets managed by the investment adviser or its affiliates, (b) an entity with a significant business relationship with Capital Group, or (c) a company with a director of an American Fund on its board (each referred to as an “Interested Party”). Other persons or entities may also be deemed an Interested Party if facts or circumstances appear to give rise to a potential conflict. The investment adviser analyzes these proxies and proposals on their merits and does not consider these relationships when casting its vote.

The investment adviser has developed procedures to identify and address instances where a vote could appear to be influenced by such a relationship. Under the procedures, prior to a final vote being cast by the investment adviser, the relevant proxy committees’ voting results for proxies issued by Interested Parties are reviewed by a Special Review Committee (“SRC”) of the investment division voting the proxy if the vote was in favor of the Interested Party.

If a potential conflict is identified according to the procedure above, the SRC will be provided with a summary of any relevant communications with the Interested Party, the rationale for the voting decision, information on the organization’s relationship with the party and any other pertinent information. The SRC will evaluate the information and determine whether the decision was in the best interest of fund shareholders. It will then accept or override the voting decision or determine alternative action. The SRC includes senior investment professionals and legal and compliance professionals.

Information regarding how the fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 of each year will be available on or about September 1 of such year (a) without charge, upon request by calling American Funds Service Company at (800) 421-4225, (b) on the Capital Group website and (c) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

The following summary sets forth the general positions of American Funds, American Funds Insurance Series and the investment adviser on various proposals. A copy of the full Principles is available upon request, free of charge, by calling American Funds Service Company or visiting the Capital Group website.

Director matters — The election of a company’s slate of nominees for director generally is supported. Votes may be withheld for some or all of the nominees if this is determined to be in the best interest of shareholders or if, in the opinion of the investment adviser, such nominee has not fulfilled his or her fiduciary duty. Separation of the chairman and CEO positions also may be supported.

Governance provisions — Typically, proposals to declassify a board (elect all directors annually) are supported based on the belief that this increases the directors’ sense of accountability to shareholders. Proposals for cumulative voting generally are supported in order to promote management and board accountability and an opportunity for leadership change. Proposals designed to make director elections more meaningful, either by requiring a majority vote or by requiring any director receiving more withhold votes than affirmative votes to tender his or her resignation, generally are supported.

Shareholder rights — Proposals to repeal an existing poison pill generally are supported. (There may be certain circumstances, however, when a proxy voting committee of a fund or an investment division of the investment adviser believes that a company needs to maintain anti-

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 35


 
 

 

takeover protection.) Proposals to eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent or to take away a shareholder’s right to call a special meeting typically are not supported.

Compensation and benefit plans — Option plans are complicated, and many factors are considered in evaluating a plan. Each plan is evaluated based on protecting shareholder interests and a knowledge of the company and its management. Considerations include the pricing (or repricing) of options awarded under the plan and the impact of dilution on existing shareholders from past and future equity awards. Compensation packages should be structured to attract, motivate and retain existing employees and qualified directors; however, they should not be excessive.

Routine matters — The ratification of auditors, procedural matters relating to the annual meeting and changes to company name are examples of items considered routine. Such items generally are voted in favor of management’s recommendations unless circumstances indicate otherwise.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 36


 
 

 

 

Principal fund shareholders — The following table identifies those investors who own of record, or are known by the fund to own beneficially, 5% or more of any class of its shares as of the opening of business on October 1, 2019. Unless otherwise indicated, the ownership percentages below represent ownership of record rather than beneficial ownership.

       
NAME AND ADDRESS OWNERSHIP OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE
EDWARD D JONES & CO
FOR THE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
OMNIBUS ACCOUNT
SAINT LOUIS MO
RECORD CLASS A 19.51%
  CLASS F-3 17.79
  CLASS 529-A 11.27
     
       
PERSHING LLC
OMNIBUS ACCOUNT
JERSEY CITY NJ
RECORD CLASS A 10.84
  CLASS C 7.03
  CLASS F-2 8.49
  CLASS F-3 10.22
       
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR EXCLUSIVE BEN OF OUR CUSTOMERS
OMNIBUS ACCOUNT
JERSEY CITY NJ
RECORD CLASS A 5.82
  CLASS C 16.31
  CLASS F-1 10.24
  CLASS F-2 12.29
  CLASS F-3 36.98
       
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR EXCLUSIVE
BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS - RIA ACCT #1
SAN FRANCISCO CA
RECORD CLASS F-1 56.50
     
     
     
       
LPL FINANCIAL
--OMNIBUS CUSTOMER ACCOUNT--
SAN DIEGO CA
RECORD CLASS F-1 8.24
  CLASS F-2 50.53
     
       
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY LLC
FOR THE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS
OMNIBUS ACCOUNT
NEW YORK NY
RECORD CLASS F-2 8.26
  CLASS 529-C 12.98
     
     
       
RAYMOND JAMES
OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE ACCOUNT
ST PETERSBURG FL
RECORD CLASS F-2 5.39
  CLASS 529-C 7.05
     
     
       
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS #2
SAN FRANCISCO CA
RECORD CLASS F-3 23.46
     
     
       
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
OMNIBUS ACCOUNT #3
SAN FRANCISCO CA
RECORD CLASS F-3 9.81
     
     
       

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 37


 
 

 

       
NAME AND ADDRESS OWNERSHIP OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE
WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
SAINT LOUIS MO
RECORD CLASS 529-C 6.36
     
     
     
       
EMJAY CORPORATION
401K PLAN
GREENWOOD VLG CO
RECORD
BENEFICIAL
CLASS R-2 6.32
   
     
       
401K PLAN #1
GREENWOOD VLG CO
BENEFICIAL CLASS R-2E 56.21
   
       
T & R PHARMACEUTICAL LLC
401K PLAN
GREENWOOD VLG CO
RECORD
BENEFICIAL
CLASS R-2E 15.72
   
       
WATER & AIR RESEARCH INC
401K PLAN
GREENWOOD VLG CO
RECORD
BENEFICIAL
CLASS R-2E 7.68
   
     
       
CAPITAL RESEARCH & MANAGEMENT CO
CORPORATE ACCOUNT
IRVINE CA
RECORD CLASS R-2E 6.35
     
     
       
PIMS/PRUDENTIAL RETPLAN
NOMINEE TRUSTEE CUSTODIAN
006 ROSE KLEIN & MARIAS LLP 401K
LOS ANGELES CA
RECORD
BENEFICIAL
CLASS R-4 13.08
   
     
     
       
ADP ACCESS PRODUCT
401K PLAN
BOSTON MA
RECORD
BENEFICIAL
CLASS R-4 10.84
   
     
       
RELIANCE TRUST CO TTEE
ACCESS LARGE MARKET
ACCOUNT
ATLANTA GA
RECORD CLASS R-4 7.22
     
     
       
401K PLAN #2
GREENWOOD VLG CO
BENEFICIAL CLASS R-5 16.14
   
       
SA RIDGEWAY CONSTRUCTION INC
401K PLAN
DE PERE WI
RECORD
BENEFICIAL
CLASS R-5 7.72
   
     
       
BRIDGEPORT DENTAL ARTS
401K PLAN
UNIVERSITY PLACE WA
RECORD
BENEFICIAL
CLASS R-5 7.70
   
     
       

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 38


 
 

 

       
NAME AND ADDRESS OWNERSHIP OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE
401K PLAN #3
TACOMA WA
BENEFICIAL CLASS R-5 7.41
   
     
       
ESSENTIAL PLANNING LLC
401K PLAN
PORTSMOUTH NH
RECORD
BENEFICIAL
CLASS R-5 6.07
   
     
       
401K PLAN #4
GADSDEN AL
BENEFICIAL CLASS R-5 5.96
   
       
VERMONT COFFEE COMPANY
401K PLAN
GREENWOOD VLG CO
RECORD
BENEFICIAL
CLASS R-5E 41.88
   
       
DELAWARE BANKERS ASSOCIATION
401K PLAN
ALLOWAY NJ
RECORD
BENEFICIAL
CLASS R-5E 18.57
   
     
       
401K PLAN #5
MINNEAPOLIS MN
BENEFICIAL CLASS R-5E 8.61
   
       
DELAWARE BANKERS ASSOCIATION
401K PLAN
HARRINGTON DE
RECORD
BENEFICIAL
CLASS R-5E 7.71
   
     
       
PARKWAY VIEW FAMILY DENTISTRY
401K PLAN
GREENWOOD VLG CO
RECORD
BENEFICIAL
CLASS R-5E 6.62
   
     
       
BTFP
401K PLAN
PITTSFORD NY
RECORD
BENEFICIAL
CLASS R-5E 6.15
   
     
       

AMERICAN FUNDS 2030 TARGET DATE


RETIREMENT FUND

NORFOLK VA

RECORD CLASS R-6 18.61
     
     
       
AMERICAN FUNDS 2025 TARGET DATE
RETIREMENT FUND
NORFOLK VA
RECORD CLASS R-6 17.94
     
     
       
AMERICAN FUNDS 2020 TARGET DATE
RETIREMENT FUND
NORFOLK VA
RECORD CLASS R-6 15.18
     
     
       

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 39


 
 

 

       
NAME AND ADDRESS OWNERSHIP OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE
AMERICAN FUNDS COLLEGE 2021 FUND
OMNIBUS ACCOUNT
NORFOLK VA
RECORD CLASS R-6 9.05
     
     
       
AMERICAN FUNDS COLLEGE 2024 FUND
OMNIBUS ACCOUNT
NORFOLK VA
RECORD CLASS R-6 7.42
     
     
       
AMERICAN FUNDS COLLEGE ENROLLMENT
FUND
OMNIBUS ACCOUNT
NORFOLK VA
RECORD CLASS R-6 5.47
     
     
     

Because Class T and Class 529-T shares are not currently offered to the public, Capital Research and Management Company, the fund’s investment adviser, owns 100% of the fund‘s outstanding Class T and Class 529-T shares.

As of October 1, 2019, the officers and trustees of the fund, as a group, owned beneficially or of record less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the fund.

Unless otherwise noted, references in this statement of additional information to Class F shares, Class R shares or Class 529 shares refer to all F share classes, all R share classes or all 529 share classes, respectively.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 40


 
 

 

 

Investment adviser — Capital Research and Management Company, the fund’s investment adviser, founded in 1931, maintains research facilities in the United States and abroad (Beijing, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, D.C.). These facilities are staffed with experienced investment professionals. The investment adviser is located at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Capital Group Companies, Inc., a holding company for several investment management subsidiaries. Capital Research and Management Company manages equity assets through three equity investment divisions and fixed income assets through its fixed income investment division, Capital Fixed Income Investors. The three equity investment divisions — Capital World Investors, Capital Research Global Investors and Capital International Investors — make investment decisions independently of one another. Portfolio managers in Capital International Investors rely on a research team that also provides investment services to institutional clients and other accounts advised by affiliates of Capital Research and Management Company. The investment adviser, which is deemed under the Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”) to be the operator of the fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term commodity pool operator under the CEA with respect to the fund and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as such under the CEA with respect to the fund.

The investment adviser has adopted policies and procedures that address issues that may arise as a result of an investment professional’s management of the fund and other funds and accounts. Potential issues could involve allocation of investment opportunities and trades among funds and accounts, use of information regarding the timing of fund trades, investment professional compensation and voting relating to portfolio securities. The investment adviser believes that its policies and procedures are reasonably designed to address these issues.

Compensation of investment professionals — As described in the prospectus, the investment adviser uses a system of multiple portfolio managers in managing fund assets. In addition, Capital Research and Management Company’s investment analysts may make investment decisions with respect to a portion of a fund’s portfolio within their research coverage.

Portfolio managers and investment analysts are paid competitive salaries by Capital Research and Management Company. In addition, they may receive bonuses based on their individual portfolio results. Investment professionals also may participate in profit-sharing plans. The relative mix of compensation represented by bonuses, salary and profit-sharing plans will vary depending on the individual’s portfolio results, contributions to the organization and other factors.

To encourage a long-term focus, bonuses based on investment results are calculated by comparing pretax total investment returns to relevant benchmarks over the most recent one-, three-, five- and eight-year periods, with increasing weight placed on each succeeding measurement period. For portfolio managers, benchmarks may include measures of the marketplaces in which the fund invests and measures of the results of comparable mutual funds. For investment analysts, benchmarks may include relevant market measures and appropriate industry or sector indexes reflecting their areas of expertise. Capital Research and Management Company makes periodic subjective assessments of analysts’ contributions to the investment process and this is an element of their overall compensation. The investment results of each of the fund’s portfolio managers may be measured against one or more benchmarks, depending on his or her investment focus, such as: Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Mortgage Securities Index and a custom average consisting of one share class per fund of GNMA funds that disclose investment objectives and strategies comparable to those of the fund. From time to time, Capital Research and Management Company may adjust or customize these benchmarks to better reflect the universe of comparably managed funds of competitive investment management firms.

Portfolio manager fund holdings and other managed accounts — As described below, portfolio managers may personally own shares of the fund. In addition, portfolio managers may manage portions of other mutual funds or accounts advised by Capital Research and Management Company or its affiliates.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 41


 
 

 

The following table reflects information as of August 31, 2019:

           
Portfolio
manager
Dollar range
of fund
shares
owned1
Number
of other
registered
investment
companies (RICs)
for which
portfolio
manager
is a manager
(assets of RICs
in billions)2
Number
of other
pooled
investment
vehicles (PIVs)
for which
portfolio
manager
is a manager
(assets of PIVs
in billions)2
Number
of other
accounts
for which
portfolio
manager
is a manager
(assets of
other accounts
in billions) 2,3
David J. Betanzos $500,001 - $1,000,000 6 $87.5 None None
Fergus N. MacDonald Over $1,000,000 6 $189.9 None None

Ownership disclosure is made using the following ranges: None; $1 – $10,000; $10,001 – $50,000; $50,001 – $100,000; $100,001 – $500,000; $500,001 – $1,000,000; and Over $1,000,000. The amounts listed include shares owned through The Capital Group Companies, Inc. retirement plan and 401(k) plan.

Indicates other RIC(s), PIV(s) or other accounts managed by Capital Research and Management Company or its affiliates for which the portfolio manager also has significant day to day management responsibilities. Assets noted are the total net assets of the RIC(s), PIV(s) or other accounts and are not the total assets managed by the individual, which is a substantially lower amount. No RIC, PIV or other account has an advisory fee that is based on the performance of the RIC, PIV or other account, unless otherwise noted.

Personal brokerage accounts of portfolio managers and their families are not reflected.

The fund’s investment adviser has adopted policies and procedures to mitigate material conflicts of interest that may arise in connection with a portfolio manager’s management of the fund, on the one hand, and investments in the other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts, on the other hand, such as material conflicts relating to the allocation of investment opportunities that may be suitable for both the fund and such other accounts.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 42


 
 

 

 

Investment Advisory and Service Agreement — The Investment Advisory and Service Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the fund and the investment adviser will continue in effect until April 30, 2020, unless sooner terminated, and may be renewed from year to year thereafter, provided that any such renewal has been specifically approved at least annually by (a) the board of trustees, or by the vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the fund, and (b) the vote of a majority of trustees who are not parties to the Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Agreement provides that the investment adviser has no liability to the fund for its acts or omissions in the performance of its obligations to the fund not involving willful misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations under the Agreement. The Agreement also provides that either party has the right to terminate it, without penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party, and that the Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). In addition, the Agreement provides that the investment adviser may delegate all, or a portion of, its investment management responsibilities to one or more subsidiary advisers approved by the fund’s board, pursuant to an agreement between the investment adviser and such subsidiary. Any such subsidiary adviser will be paid solely by the investment adviser out of its fees.

In addition to providing investment advisory services, the investment adviser furnishes the services and pays the compensation and travel expenses of persons to perform the fund’s executive, administrative, clerical and bookkeeping functions, and provides suitable office space, necessary small office equipment and utilities, general purpose accounting forms, supplies and postage used at the fund’s offices. The fund pays all expenses not assumed by the investment adviser, including, but not limited to: custodian, stock transfer and dividend disbursing fees and expenses; shareholder recordkeeping and administrative expenses; costs of the designing, printing and mailing of reports, prospectuses, proxy statements and notices to its shareholders; taxes; expenses of the issuance and redemption of fund shares (including stock certificates, registration and qualification fees and expenses); expenses pursuant to the fund’s plans of distribution (described below); legal and auditing expenses; compensation, fees and expenses paid to independent trustees; association dues; costs of stationery and forms prepared exclusively for the fund; and costs of assembling and storing shareholder account data.

The investment adviser is currently reimbursing a portion of the expenses of Class R-2E and Class R-5E shares of the fund. This reimbursement will be in effect through at least November 1, 2020. The adviser may elect at its discretion to extend, modify or terminate the reimbursement at that time. For each of the fiscal years ended August 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the total expenses reimbursed by the investment adviser were less than $1,000.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 43


 
 

 

 

The management fee is based upon the daily net assets of the fund and monthly gross investment income. Gross investment income is determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and does not include gains or losses from sales of capital assets.

The management fee is based on the following annualized rates and daily net asset levels:

     
Rate Daily net asset level
In excess of Up to
0.30% $ 0 $ 60,000,000
0.21 60,000,000 1,000,000,000
0.18 1,000,000,000 3,000,000,000
0.15 3,000,000,000 10,000,000,000
0.14 10,000,000,000  

The Agreement also provides for fees based on monthly gross investment income at the following annualized rates:

     
Rate Monthly gross investment income
In excess of Up to
3.00% $ 0 $ 3,333,333
2.25 3,333,333 8,333,333
2.00 8,333,333  

For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the investment adviser earned from the fund management fees of $13,297,000, $9,994,000 and $7,248,000, respectively.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 44


 
 

 

 

Administrative services — The investment adviser and its affiliates provide certain administrative services for shareholders of the fund’s Class A, C, T, F, R and 529 shares. Administrative services are provided by the investment adviser and its affiliates to help assist third parties providing non-distribution services to fund shareholders. These services include providing in-depth information on the fund and market developments that impact fund investments. Administrative services also include, but are not limited to, coordinating, monitoring and overseeing third parties that provide services to fund shareholders.

These services are provided pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement (the “Administrative Agreement”) between the fund and the investment adviser relating to the fund’s Class A, C, T, F, R and 529 shares. The Administrative Agreement will continue in effect until April 30, 2020, unless sooner renewed or terminated, and may be renewed from year to year thereafter, provided that any such renewal has been specifically approved at least annually by the vote of a majority of the members of the fund’s board who are not parties to the Administrative Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The fund may terminate the Administrative Agreement at any time by vote of a majority of independent board members. The investment adviser has the right to terminate the Administrative Agreement upon 60 days’ written notice to the fund. The Administrative Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

The Administrative Services Agreement between the fund and the investment adviser provides the fund the ability to charge an administrative services fee of .05% for all share classes. The fund’s investment adviser receives an administrative services fee at the annual rate of .03% of the average daily net assets of the fund attributable to Class A, C, T, F, R and 529 shares (which could be increased as noted above) for its provision of administrative services. Administrative services fees are paid monthly and accrued daily.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 45


 
 

 

During the 2019 fiscal year, administrative services fees were:

   
  Administrative services fee
Class A $ 25,000
Class C 7,000
Class T —*
Class F-1 8,000
Class F-2 46,000
Class F-3 7,000
Class 529-A 10,000
Class 529-C 2,000
Class 529-E 1,000
Class 529-T —*
Class 529-F-1 4,000
Class R-1 2,000
Class R-2 2,000
Class R-2E —*
Class R-3 17,000
Class R-4 2,000
Class R-5E —*
Class R-5 1,000
Class R-6 2,393,000

* Amount less than $1,000.

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Principal Underwriter and plans of distribution — American Funds Distributors, Inc. (the “Principal Underwriter”) is the principal underwriter of the fund’s shares. The Principal Underwriter is located at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071; 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618; 3500 Wiseman Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78251; and 12811 North Meridian Street, Carmel, IN 46032.

The Principal Underwriter receives revenues relating to sales of the fund’s shares, as follows:

· For Class A and 529-A shares, the Principal Underwriter receives commission revenue consisting of the balance of the Class A and 529-A sales charge remaining after the allowances by the Principal Underwriter to investment dealers.

· For Class C and 529-C shares, the Principal Underwriter receives any contingent deferred sales charges that apply during the first year after purchase.

In addition, the fund reimburses the Principal Underwriter for advancing immediate service fees to qualified dealers and advisors upon the sale of Class C and 529-C shares. The fund also reimburses the Principal Underwriter for service fees (and, in the case of Class 529-E shares, commissions) paid on a quarterly basis to intermediaries, such as qualified dealers or financial advisors, in connection with investments in Class T, F-1, 529-E, 529-T, 529-F-1, R-1, R-2, R-2E, R-3 and R-4 shares.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 47


 
 

 

 

Commissions, revenue or service fees retained by the Principal Underwriter after allowances or compensation to dealers were:

       
  Fiscal year Commissions,
revenue
or fees retained
Allowance or
compensation
to dealers
Class A 2019 $39,000 $152,000
  2018 50,000 190,000
  2017 72,000 270,000
Class C 2019 31,000
  2018 21,000
  2017 23,000 37,000
Class 529-A 2019 6,000 22,000
  2018 5,000 17,000
  2017 4,000 17,000
Class 529-C 2019 5,000
  2018 5,000
  2017 2,000 7,000

Plans of distribution — The fund has adopted plans of distribution (the “Plans”) pursuant to rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Plans permit the fund to expend amounts to finance any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of fund shares, provided the fund’s board of trustees has approved the category of expenses for which payment is being made.

Each Plan is specific to a particular share class of the fund. As the fund has not adopted a Plan for Class F-2, F-3, R-5E, R-5 or R-6, no 12b-1 fees are paid from Class F-2, F-3, R-5E, R-5 or R-6 share assets and the following disclosure is not applicable to these share classes.

Payments under the Plans may be made for service-related and/or distribution-related expenses. Service-related expenses include paying service fees to qualified dealers. Distribution-related expenses include commissions paid to qualified dealers. The amounts actually paid under the Plans for the past fiscal year, expressed as a percentage of the fund’s average daily net assets attributable to the applicable share class, are disclosed in the prospectus under “Fees and expenses of the fund.” Further information regarding the amounts available under each Plan is in the “Plans of Distribution” section of the prospectus.

Following is a brief description of the Plans:

Class A and 529-A — For Class A and 529-A shares, up to .25% of the fund’s average daily net assets attributable to such shares is reimbursed to the Principal Underwriter for paying service-related expenses, and the balance available under the applicable Plan may be paid to the Principal Underwriter for distribution-related expenses. The fund may annually expend up to .30% for Class A shares and up to .50% for Class 529-A shares under the applicable Plan; however, for Class 529-A shares, the board of trustees has approved payments to the Principal Underwriter of up to .25% of the fund’s average daily net assets, in the aggregate, for paying service- and distribution-related expenses.

Distribution-related expenses for Class A and 529-A shares include dealer commissions and wholesaler compensation paid on sales of shares of $1 million or more purchased without a sales charge. Commissions on these “no load” purchases (which are described in further detail under the “Sales Charges” section of this statement of additional information) in excess of the Class A and 529-A Plan limitations and not reimbursed to the Principal Underwriter during the most recent fiscal quarter are recoverable for 15 months, provided that the reimbursement of

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 48


 
 

 

such commissions does not cause the fund to exceed the annual expense limit. After 15 months, these commissions are not recoverable. As of the fund’s most recent fiscal year, unreimbursed expenses that remained subject to reimbursement under the Plan for Class A shares totaled $85,000 or 0.04% of Class A net assets.

Class T and 529-T — For Class T and 529-T shares, the fund may annually expend up to .50% under the applicable Plan; however, the fund’s board of trustees has approved payments to the Principal Underwriter of up to .25% of the fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class T and 529-T shares for paying service-related expenses.

Other share classes — The Plans for each of the other share classes that have adopted Plans provide for payments to the Principal Underwriter for paying service-related and distribution-related expenses of up to the following amounts of the fund’s average daily net assets attributable to such shares:

       
Share class Service
related
payments1
Distribution
related
payments1
Total
allowable
under
the Plans2
Class C 0.25% 0.75% 1.00%
Class F-1 0.25 0.50
Class 529-C 0.25 0.75 1.00
Class 529-E 0.25 0.25 0.75
Class 529-F-1 0.25 0.50
Class R-1 0.25 0.75 1.00
Class R-2 0.25 0.50 1.00
Class R-2E 0.25 0.35 0.85
Class R-3 0.25 0.25 0.75
Class R-4 0.25 0.50

Amounts in these columns represent the amounts approved by the board of trustees under the applicable Plan.

The fund may annually expend the amounts set forth in this column under the current Plans with the approval of the board of trustees.

Payment of service fees — For purchases of less than $1 million, payment of service fees to investment dealers generally begins accruing immediately after establishment of an account in Class A, C, 529-A or 529-C shares. For purchases of $1 million or more, payment of service fees to investment dealers generally begins accruing 12 months after establishment of an account in Class A or 529-A shares. Service fees are not paid on certain investments made at net asset value including accounts established by registered representatives and their family members as described in the “Sales charges” section of the prospectus.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 49


 
 

 

During the 2019 fiscal year, 12b-1 expenses accrued and paid, and if applicable, unpaid, were:

     
  12b-1 expenses 12b-1 unpaid liability
outstanding
Class A $473,000 $44,000
Class C 151,000 23,000
Class T
Class F-1 42,000 5,000
Class 529-A 51,000 8,000
Class 529-C 41,000 6,000
Class 529-E 7,000 2,000
Class 529-T
Class 529-F-1
Class R-1 42,000 7,000
Class R-2 26,000 4,000
Class R-2E 1,000 —*
Class R-3 189,000 34,000
Class R-4 13,000 2,000

* Amount less than $1,000.

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Approval of the Plans — As required by rule 12b-1 and the 1940 Act, the Plans (together with the Principal Underwriting Agreement) have been approved by the full board of trustees and separately by a majority of the independent trustees of the fund who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans or the Principal Underwriting Agreement. In addition, the selection and nomination of independent trustees of the fund are committed to the discretion of the independent trustees during the existence of the Plans.

Potential benefits of the Plans to the fund and its shareholders include enabling shareholders to obtain advice and other services from a financial advisor at a reasonable cost, the likelihood that the Plans will stimulate sales of the fund benefiting the investment process through growth or stability of assets and the ability of shareholders to choose among various alternatives in paying for sales and service. The Plans may not be amended to materially increase the amount spent for distribution without shareholder approval. Plan expenses are reviewed quarterly by the board of trustees and the Plans must be renewed annually by the board of trustees.

A portion of the fund’s 12b-1 expense is paid to financial advisors to compensate them for providing ongoing services. If you have questions regarding your investment in the fund or need assistance with your account, please contact your financial advisor. If you need a financial advisor, please call American Funds Distributors at (800) 421-4120 for assistance.

Fee to Virginia529 — Class 529 shares are offered to certain American Funds by Virginia529 through CollegeAmerica and Class ABLE-A shares are offered to certain American Funds by Virginia529 through ABLEAmerica, a tax-advantaged savings program for individuals with disabilities. As compensation for its oversight and administration of the CollegeAmerica and ABLEAmerica savings plans, Virginia529 is entitled to receive a quarterly fee based on the combined net assets invested in Class 529 shares and Class ABLE-A shares across all American Funds. The quarterly fee is accrued daily and calculated at the annual rate of .10% on the first $20 billion of net assets invested in American Funds Class 529 shares and Class ABLE-A shares, .05% on net assets between $20 billion and $100 billion and .03% on net assets over $100 billion. The fee for any given calendar quarter is accrued and calculated on the basis of average net assets of American Funds Class 529 and Class ABLE-A shares for the last month of the prior calendar quarter. Virginia529 is currently waiving that portion of its fee attributable to Class ABLE-A shares. Such waiver is expected to remain in effect until the earlier of (a) the date on which total net assets invested in Class ABLE-A shares reach $300 million and (b) June 30, 2023.

Effective January 1, 2020, the quarterly fee payable to Virginia529 will be calculated at the annual rate of .09% on the first $20 billion of net assets invested in American Funds Class 529 shares and Class ABLE-A shares. All other breakpoints will remain unchanged.

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Other compensation to dealers — As of January 2019, the top dealers (or their affiliates) that American Funds Distributors anticipates will receive additional compensation (as described in the prospectus) include:

   
Advisor Group  
FSC Securities Corporation  
 
Signator Investors, Inc.  
 
Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.  
SagePoint Financial, Inc.  
Woodbury Financial Services, Inc.  
American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc.  
Ameriprise  
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.  
AXA Advisors  
AXA Advisors, LLC  
Cambridge  
Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.  
Cetera Financial Group  
Cetera Advisor Networks LLC  
Cetera Advisors LLC  
Cetera Financial Specialists LLC  
Cetera Investment Services LLC  
CIMAS, LLC  
First Allied Securities Inc.  
 
Legend Advisory Corporation  
Summit Brokerage Services, Inc.  
 
Charles Schwab Network  
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.  
Charles Schwab Bank  
 
Commonwealth  
Commonwealth Financial Network  
D.A. Davidson & Co.  
Edward Jones  
Fidelity Network Group  
Fidelity Deposit & Discount Bank  
Fidelity Retirement Network  
National Financial Services LLC  
Hefren-Tillotson, Inc.  
HTK  
Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc.  
J.J.B. Hilliard Lyons  
Hilliard Lyons Trust Company LLC  
J.J.B. Hilliard, W. L. Lyons, LLC  
J.P. Morgan Chase Banc One  
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC  
JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.  
Janney Montgomery Scott  
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC  
 

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 52


 
 

 

   
Kestra Securities  
H. Beck, Inc.  
Kestra Investment Services LLC  
NFP Advisor Services LLC  
Ladenburg Thalmann Group  
Investacorp, Inc.  
KMS Financial Services, Inc.  
Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management Inc.  
Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co., Inc.  
Securities America, Inc.  
Securities Service Network Inc.  
Triad Advisors LLC  
Lincoln Network  
Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation  
 
Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation  
LPL Group  
LPL Financial LLC  
Mass Mutual / MML  
MassMutual Trust Company FSB  
MML Distributors LLC  
MML Investors Services, LLC  
The MassMutual Trust Company FSB  
Merrill Lynch Banc of America  
Bank of America  
Bank of America, NA  
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated  
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney  
 
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management  
 
NMIS  
Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC  
 
Park Avenue Securities LLC  
PFS  
Financial Sense Securities Inc.  
PFS Investments Inc.  
PNC Network  
PNC Bank, National Association  
PNC Investments LLC  
Raymond James Group  
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.  
Raymond James Financial Services Inc.  
RBC  
RBC Capital Markets LLC  
Robert W. Baird  
Robert W. Baird & Co, Incorporated  
Stifel, Nicolaus & Co  
 
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated  

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 53


 
 

 

   
UBS  
UBS Financial Services, Inc.  
UBS Securities, LLC  
Voya Financial  
Voya Financial Advisors, Inc.  
Wells Fargo Network  
Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC  
Wells Fargo Advisors Latin American Channel  
Wells Fargo Advisors LLC (WBS)  
Wells Fargo Advisors Private Client Group  
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.  
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC  
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC  

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 54


 
 

 

 

Execution of portfolio transactions

The investment adviser places orders with broker-dealers for the fund’s portfolio transactions. Purchases and sales of equity securities on a securities exchange or an over-the-counter market are effected through broker-dealers who receive commissions for their services. Generally, commissions relating to securities traded on foreign exchanges will be higher than commissions relating to securities traded on U.S. exchanges and may not be subject to negotiation. Equity securities may also be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting fees. Purchases and sales of fixed income securities are generally made with an issuer or a primary market maker acting as principal with no stated brokerage commission. The price paid to an underwriter for fixed income securities includes underwriting fees. Prices for fixed income securities in secondary trades usually include undisclosed compensation to the market maker reflecting the spread between the bid and ask prices for the securities.

In selecting broker-dealers, the investment adviser strives to obtain “best execution” (the most favorable total price reasonably attainable under the circumstances) for the fund’s portfolio transactions, taking into account a variety of factors. These factors include the size and type of transaction, the nature and character of the markets for the security to be purchased or sold, the cost, quality, likely speed and reliability of execution and settlement, the broker-dealer’s or execution venue’s ability to offer liquidity and anonymity and the potential for minimizing market impact. The investment adviser considers these factors, which involve qualitative judgments, when selecting broker-dealers and execution venues for fund portfolio transactions. The investment adviser views best execution as a process that should be evaluated over time as part of an overall relationship with particular broker-dealer firms. The investment adviser and its affiliates negotiate commission rates with broker-dealers based on what they believe is reasonably necessary to obtain best execution. They seek, on an ongoing basis, to determine what the reasonable levels of commission rates for execution services are in the marketplace, taking various considerations into account, including the extent to which a broker-dealer has put its own capital at risk, historical commission rates and commission rates that other institutional investors are paying. The fund does not consider the investment adviser as having an obligation to obtain the lowest commission rate available for a portfolio transaction to the exclusion of price, service and qualitative considerations. Brokerage commissions are only a small part of total execution costs and other factors, such as market impact and speed of execution, contribute significantly to overall transaction costs.

The investment adviser may execute portfolio transactions with broker-dealers who provide certain brokerage and/or investment research services to it but only when in the investment adviser’s judgment the broker-dealer is capable of providing best execution for that transaction. The investment adviser makes decisions for procurement of research separately and distinctly from decisions on the choice of brokerage and execution services. The receipt of these research services permits the investment adviser to supplement its own research and analysis and makes available the views of, and information from, individuals and the research staffs of other firms. Such views and information may be provided in the form of written reports, telephone contacts and meetings with securities analysts. These services may include, among other things, reports and other communications with respect to individual companies, industries, countries and regions, economic, political and legal developments, as well as scheduling meetings with corporate executives and seminars and conferences related to relevant subject matters. Research services that the investment adviser receives from broker-dealers may be used by the investment adviser in servicing the fund and other funds and accounts that it advises; however, not all such services will necessarily benefit the fund.

As of January 1, 2019, the investment adviser has undertaken to bear the cost of all third-party investment research services for all client accounts it advises. However, in order to compensate certain U.S. broker-dealers for research consumed, and valued, by the investment adviser’s investment professionals, the investment adviser continues to operate a limited commission sharing arrangement with commissions on equity trades for certain registered investment companies it advises. The

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investment adviser voluntarily reimburses such registered investment companies for all amounts collected into the commission sharing arrangement. In order to operate the commission sharing arrangement, the investment adviser may cause such registered investment companies to pay commissions in excess of what other broker-dealers might have charged for certain portfolio transactions in recognition of brokerage and/or investment research services. In this regard, the investment adviser has adopted a brokerage allocation procedure consistent with the requirements of Section 28(e) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Section 28(e) permits the investment adviser and its affiliates to cause an account to pay a higher commission to a broker-dealer to compensate the broker-dealer or another service provider for certain brokerage and/or investment research services provided to the investment adviser and its affiliates, if the investment adviser and each affiliate makes a good faith determination that such commissions are reasonable in relation to the value of the services provided by such broker-dealer to the investment adviser and its affiliates in terms of that particular transaction or the investment adviser’s overall responsibility to the fund and other accounts that it advises. Certain brokerage and/or investment research services may not necessarily benefit all accounts paying commissions to each such broker-dealer; therefore, the investment adviser and its affiliates assess the reasonableness of commissions in light of the total brokerage and investment research services provided to the investment adviser and its affiliates. Further, investment research services may be used by all investment associates of the investment adviser and its affiliates, regardless of whether they advise accounts with trading activity that generates eligible commissions.

In accordance with their internal brokerage allocation procedure, the investment adviser and its affiliates periodically assess the brokerage and investment research services provided by each broker-dealer and each other service provider from which they receive such services. As part of its ongoing relationships, the investment adviser and its affiliates routinely meet with firms to discuss the level and quality of the brokerage and research services provided, as well as the value and cost of such services. In valuing the brokerage and investment research services the investment adviser and its affiliates receive from broker-dealers and other research providers in connection with its good faith determination of reasonableness, the investment adviser and its affiliates take various factors into consideration, including the quantity, quality and usefulness of the services to the investment adviser and its affiliates. Based on this information and applying their judgment, the investment adviser and its affiliates set an annual research budget.

Research analysts and portfolio managers periodically participate in a research poll to determine the usefulness and value of the research provided by individual broker-dealers and research providers. Based on the results of this research poll, the investment adviser and its affiliates may, through commission sharing arrangements with certain broker-dealers, direct a portion of commissions paid to a broker-dealer by the fund and other registered investment companies managed by the investment adviser or its affiliates to be used to compensate the broker-dealer and/or other research providers for research services they provide. While the investment adviser and its affiliates may negotiate commission rates and enter into commission sharing arrangements with certain broker-dealers with the expectation that such broker-dealers will be providing brokerage and research services, none of the investment adviser, any of its affiliates or any of their clients incurs any obligation to any broker-dealer to pay for research by generating trading commissions. The investment adviser and its affiliates negotiate prices for certain research that may be paid through commission sharing arrangements or by themselves with cash.

When executing portfolio transactions in the same equity security for the funds and accounts, or portions of funds and accounts, over which the investment adviser, through its equity investment divisions, has investment discretion, each investment division within the adviser and its affiliates normally aggregates its respective purchases or sales and executes them as part of the same transaction or series of transactions. When executing portfolio transactions in the same fixed income security for the fund and the other funds or accounts over which it or one of its affiliated companies has investment discretion, the investment adviser normally aggregates such purchases or sales and executes them as part of the same transaction or series of transactions. The objective of aggregating

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purchases and sales of a security is to allocate executions in an equitable manner among the funds and other accounts that have concurrently authorized a transaction in such security. The investment adviser and its affiliates serve as investment adviser for certain accounts that are designed to be substantially similar to another account. This type of account will often generate a large number of relatively small trades when it is rebalanced to its reference fund due to differing cash flows or when the account is initially started up. The investment adviser may not aggregate program trades or electronic list trades executed as part of this process. Non-aggregated trades performed for these accounts will be allocated entirely to that account. This is done only when the investment adviser believes doing so will not have a material impact on the price or quality of other transactions.

The investment adviser currently owns an interest in IEX Group and Luminex Trading and Analytics. The investment adviser may place orders on these or other exchanges or alternative trading systems in which it, or one of its affiliates, has an ownership interest, provided such ownership interest is less than five percent of the total ownership interests in the entity. The investment adviser is subject to the same best execution obligations when trading on any such exchange or alternative trading system.

Purchase and sale transactions may be effected directly among and between certain funds or accounts advised by the investment adviser or its affiliates, including the fund. The investment adviser maintains cross-trade policies and procedures and places a cross-trade only when such a trade is in the best interest of all participating clients and is not prohibited by the participating funds’ or accounts’ investment management agreement or applicable law.

The investment adviser may place orders for the fund’s portfolio transactions with broker-dealers who have sold shares of the funds managed by the investment adviser or its affiliated companies; however, it does not consider whether a broker-dealer has sold shares of the funds managed by the investment adviser or its affiliated companies when placing any such orders for the fund’s portfolio transactions.

Purchases and sales of futures contracts for the fund will be effected through executing brokers and FCMs that specialize in the types of futures contracts that the fund expects to hold. The investment adviser will use reasonable efforts to choose executing brokers and FCMs capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable price and execution available. The full range and quality of services available will be considered in making these determinations. The investment adviser will monitor the executing brokers and FCMs used for purchases and sales of futures contracts for their ability to execute trades based on many factors, such as the sizes of the orders, the difficulty of executions, the operational facilities of the firm involved and other factors.

Forward currency contracts are traded directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. The cost to the fund of engaging in such contracts varies with factors such as the currency involved, the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Because such contracts are entered into on a principal basis, their prices usually include undisclosed compensation to the market maker reflecting the spread between the bid and ask prices for the contracts. The fund may incur additional fees in connection with the purchase or sale of certain contracts.

No brokerage commissions were paid by the fund on portfolio transactions for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

The fund is required to disclose information regarding investments in the securities of its “regular” broker-dealers (or parent companies of its regular broker-dealers) that derive more than 15% of their revenue from broker-dealer, underwriter or investment adviser activities. A regular broker-dealer is (a) one of the 10 broker-dealers that received from the fund the largest amount of brokerage commissions by participating, directly or indirectly, in the fund’s portfolio transactions during the fund’s most recently completed fiscal year; (b) one of the 10 broker-dealers that engaged as principal

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in the largest dollar amount of portfolio transactions of the fund during the fund’s most recently completed fiscal year; or (c) one of the 10 broker-dealers that sold the largest amount of securities of the fund during the fund’s most recently completed fiscal year.

At the end of the fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, the fund did not have investments in securities of any of its regular broker-dealers.

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Disclosure of portfolio holdings

The fund’s investment adviser, on behalf of the fund, has adopted policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of information about fund portfolio securities. These policies and procedures have been reviewed by the fund’s board of trustees, and compliance will be periodically assessed by the board in connection with reporting from the fund’s Chief Compliance Officer.

Under these policies and procedures, the fund’s complete list of portfolio holdings available for public disclosure, dated as of the end of each calendar quarter, is permitted to be posted on the Capital Group website no earlier than the 10th day after such calendar quarter. In practice, the publicly disclosed portfolio is typically posted on the Capital Group website within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter. The publicly disclosed portfolio may exclude certain securities when deemed to be in the best interest of the fund as permitted by applicable regulations. In addition, the fund’s list of top 10 equity portfolio holdings measured by percentage of net assets, dated as of the end of each calendar month, is permitted to be posted on the Capital Group website no earlier than the 10th day after such month. Such portfolio holdings information may be disclosed to any person pursuant to an ongoing arrangement to disclose portfolio holdings information to such person no earlier than one day after the day on which the information is posted on the Capital Group website.

Certain intermediaries are provided additional information about the fund’s management team, including information on the fund’s portfolio securities they have selected. This information is provided to larger intermediaries that require the information to make the fund available for investment on the firm’s platform. Intermediaries receiving the information are required to keep it confidential and use it only to analyze the fund.

The fund’s custodian, outside counsel, auditor, financial printers, proxy voting service providers, pricing information vendors, consultants or agents operating under a contract with the investment adviser or its affiliates, co-litigants (such as in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding related to a fund holding) and certain other third parties described below, each of which requires portfolio holdings information for legitimate business and fund oversight purposes, may receive fund portfolio holdings information earlier. See the “General information” section in this statement of additional information for further information about the fund’s custodian, outside counsel and auditor.

The fund‘s portfolio holdings, dated as of the end of each calendar month, are made available to up to 20 key broker-dealer relationships with research departments to help them evaluate the fund for eligibility on approved lists or in model portfolios. These firms include certain of those listed under the “Other compensation to dealers” section of this statement of additional information and certain broker-dealer firms that offer trading platforms for registered investment advisers. Monthly holdings may be provided to these intermediaries no earlier than the 10th day after the end of the calendar month. In practice, monthly holdings are provided within 30 days after the end of the calendar month. Holdings may also be disclosed more frequently to certain statistical and data collection agencies including Morningstar, Lipper, Inc., Value Line, Vickers Stock Research, Bloomberg and Thomson Financial Research.

Affiliated persons of the fund, including officers of the fund and employees of the investment adviser and its affiliates, who receive portfolio holdings information are subject to restrictions and limitations on the use and handling of such information pursuant to applicable codes of ethics, including requirements not to trade in securities based on confidential and proprietary investment information, to maintain the confidentiality of such information, and to pre-clear securities trades and report securities transactions activity, as applicable. For more information on these restrictions and limitations, please see the “Code of ethics” section in this statement of additional information and the Code of Ethics. Third-party service providers of the fund and other entities, as described in this statement of additional information, receiving such information are subject to confidentiality

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obligations. When portfolio holdings information is disclosed other than through the Capital Group website to persons not affiliated with the fund, such persons will be bound by agreements (including confidentiality agreements) or fiduciary or other obligations that restrict and limit their use of the information to legitimate business uses only. None of the fund, its investment adviser or any of their affiliates receives compensation or other consideration in connection with the disclosure of information about portfolio securities.

Subject to board policies, the authority to disclose a fund’s portfolio holdings, and to establish policies with respect to such disclosure, resides with the appropriate investment-related committees of the fund’s investment adviser. In exercising their authority, the committees determine whether disclosure of information about the fund’s portfolio securities is appropriate and in the best interest of fund shareholders. The investment adviser has implemented policies and procedures to address conflicts of interest that may arise from the disclosure of fund holdings. For example, the investment adviser’s code of ethics specifically requires, among other things, the safeguarding of information about fund holdings and contains prohibitions designed to prevent the personal use of confidential, proprietary investment information in a way that would conflict with fund transactions. In addition, the investment adviser believes that its current policy of not selling portfolio holdings information and not disclosing such information to unaffiliated third parties until such holdings have been made public on the Capital Group website (other than to certain fund service providers and other third parties for legitimate business and fund oversight purposes) helps reduce potential conflicts of interest between fund shareholders and the investment adviser and its affiliates.

The fund’s investment adviser and its affiliates provide investment advice to clients other than the fund that have investment objectives that may be substantially similar to those of the fund. These clients also may have portfolios consisting of holdings substantially similar to those of the fund and generally have access to current portfolio holdings information for their accounts. These clients do not owe the fund’s investment adviser or the fund a duty of confidentiality with respect to disclosure of their portfolio holdings.

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Price of shares

Shares are purchased at the offering price or sold at the net asset value price next determined after the purchase or sell order is received by the fund or the Transfer Agent provided that your request contains all information and legal documentation necessary to process the transaction. The Transfer Agent may accept written orders for the sale of fund shares on a future date. These orders are subject to the Transfer Agent’s policies, which generally allow shareholders to provide a written request to sell shares at the net asset value on a specified date no more than five business days after receipt of the order by the Transfer Agent. Any request to sell shares on a future date will be rejected if the request is not in writing, if the requested transaction date is more than five business days after the Transfer Agent receives the request or if the request does not contain all information and legal documentation necessary to process the transaction.

The offering or net asset value price is effective for orders received prior to the time of determination of the net asset value and, in the case of orders placed with dealers or their authorized designees, accepted by the Principal Underwriter, the Transfer Agent, a dealer or any of their designees. In the case of orders sent directly to the fund or the Transfer Agent, an investment dealer should be indicated. The dealer is responsible for promptly transmitting purchase and sell orders to the Principal Underwriter.

Orders received by the investment dealer or authorized designee, the Transfer Agent or the fund after the time of the determination of the net asset value will be entered at the next calculated offering price. Note that investment dealers or other intermediaries may have their own rules about share transactions and may have earlier cut-off times than those of the fund. For more information about how to purchase through your intermediary, contact your intermediary directly.

Prices that appear in the newspaper do not always indicate prices at which you will be purchasing and redeeming shares of the fund, since such prices generally reflect the previous day’s closing price, while purchases and redemptions are made at the next calculated price. The price you pay for shares, the offering price, is based on the net asset value per share, which is calculated once daily as of approximately 4 p.m. New York time, which is the normal close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, each day the New York Stock Exchange is open. If, for example, the New York Stock Exchange closes at 1 p.m. New York time, the fund’s share price would still be determined as of 4 p.m. New York time. In such example, portfolio securities traded on the New York Stock Exchange would be valued at their closing prices unless the investment adviser determines that a fair value adjustment is appropriate due to subsequent events. The New York Stock Exchange is currently closed on weekends and on the following holidays: New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Presidents’ Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving; and Christmas Day. Each share class of the fund has a separately calculated net asset value (and share price).

All portfolio securities of funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company (other than American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund) are valued, and the net asset values per share for each share class are determined, as indicated below. The fund follows standard industry practice by typically reflecting changes in its holdings of portfolio securities on the first business day following a portfolio trade.

Equity securities, including depositary receipts, are generally valued at the official closing price of, or the last reported sale price on, the exchange or market on which such securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price. Prices for each security are taken from the principal exchange or market on which the security trades.

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Fixed income securities, including short-term securities, are generally valued at prices obtained from one or more pricing vendors. The pricing vendors base prices on, among other things, benchmark yields, transactions, bids, offers, quotations from dealers and trading systems, new issues, underlying equity of the issuer, interest rate volatilities, spreads and other relationships observed in the markets among comparable securities and proprietary pricing models such as yield measures calculated using factors such as cash flows, prepayment information, default rates, delinquency and loss assumptions, financial or collateral characteristics or performance, credit enhancements, liquidation value calculations, specific deal information and other reference data. The fund’s investment adviser performs certain checks on vendor prices prior to calculation of the fund’s net asset value. When the investment adviser deems it appropriate to do so (such as when vendor prices are unavailable or not deemed to be representative), fixed income securities will be valued in good faith at the mean quoted bid and ask prices that are reasonably and timely available (or bid prices, if ask prices are not available) or at prices for securities of comparable maturity, quality and type.

Securities with both fixed income and equity characteristics (e.g., convertible bonds, preferred stocks, units comprised of more than one type of security, etc.), or equity securities traded principally among fixed income dealers, are generally valued in the manner described above for either equity or fixed income securities, depending on which method is deemed most appropriate by the investment adviser.

Forward currency contracts are valued at the mean of representative quoted bid and ask prices, generally based on prices supplied by one or more pricing vendors.

Futures contracts are generally valued at the official settlement price of, or the last reported sale price on, the principal exchange or market on which such instruments are traded, as of the close of business on the day the contracts are being valued or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price.

Swaps, including both interest rate swaps and positions in credit default swap indices, are valued using market quotations or valuations provided by one or more pricing vendors.

Assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of currencies other than U.S. dollars are translated prior to the next determination of the net asset value of the fund’s shares into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates.

Securities and other assets for which representative market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable by the investment adviser are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under fair value guidelines adopted by authority of the fund’s board. Subject to board oversight, the fund’s board has appointed the fund’s investment adviser to make fair valuation determinations, which are directed by a valuation committee established by the fund’s investment adviser. The board receives regular reports describing fair-valued securities and the valuation methods used.

The valuation committee has adopted guidelines and procedures (consistent with SEC rules and guidance) to consider certain relevant principles and factors when making fair value determinations. As a general principle, securities lacking readily available market quotations, or that have quotations that are considered unreliable by the investment adviser, are valued in good faith by the valuation committee based upon what the fund might reasonably expect to receive upon their current sale. Fair valuations and valuations of investments that are not actively trading involve judgment and may differ materially from valuations that would have been used had greater market activity occurred. The valuation committee considers relevant indications of value that are reasonably and timely available to it in determining the fair value to be assigned to a particular security, such as the type and cost of the security, contractual or legal restrictions on resale of the security, relevant financial or business developments of the issuer, actively traded similar or related securities, conversion or exchange rights on the security, related corporate actions, significant events occurring after the close of trading in the

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security and changes in overall market conditions. The valuation committee employs additional fair value procedures to address issues related to equity securities that trade principally in markets outside the United States. Such securities may trade in markets that open and close at different times, reflecting time zone differences. If significant events occur after the close of a market (and before the fund’s net asset values are next determined) which affect the value of equity securities held in the fund’s portfolio, appropriate adjustments from closing market prices may be made to reflect these events. Events of this type could include, for example, earthquakes and other natural disasters or significant price changes in other markets (e.g., U.S. stock markets).

Each class of shares represents interests in the same portfolio of investments and is identical in all respects to each other class, except for differences relating to distribution, service and other charges and expenses, certain voting rights, differences relating to eligible investors, the designation of each class of shares, conversion features and exchange privileges. Expenses attributable to the fund, but not to a particular class of shares, are borne by each class pro rata based on relative aggregate net assets of the classes. Expenses directly attributable to a class of shares are borne by that class of shares. Liabilities attributable to particular share classes, such as liabilities for repurchase of fund shares, are deducted from total assets attributable to such share classes.

Net assets so obtained for each share class are then divided by the total number of shares outstanding of that share class, and the result, rounded to the nearest cent, is the net asset value per share for that class.

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Taxes and distributions

Disclaimer: Some of the following information may not apply to certain shareholders, including those holding fund shares in a tax-favored account, such as a retirement plan or education savings account. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about the application of federal, state and local tax law in light of their particular situation.

Taxation as a regulated investment company — The fund intends to qualify each year as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), so that it will not be liable for federal tax on income and capital gains distributed to shareholders. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, and avoid being subject to federal income taxes, the fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and realized net capital gains on a fiscal year basis, and intends to comply with other tests applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M.

The Code includes savings provisions allowing the fund to cure inadvertent failures of certain qualification tests required under Subchapter M. However, should the fund fail to qualify under Subchapter M, the fund would be subject to federal, and possibly state, corporate taxes on its taxable income and gains.

Amounts not distributed by the fund on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement may be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax. Unless an applicable exception applies, to avoid the tax, the fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount equal to the sum of (a) at least 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year, (b) at least 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses for the twelve month period ending on October 31, and (c) all ordinary income and capital gains for previous years that were not distributed during such years and on which the fund paid no U.S. federal income tax.

Dividends paid by the fund from ordinary income or from an excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income dividends.

The fund may declare a capital gain distribution consisting of the excess of net realized long-term capital gains over net realized short-term capital losses. Net capital gains for a fiscal year are computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the fund.

The fund may retain a portion of net capital gain for reinvestment and may elect to treat such capital gain as having been distributed to shareholders of the fund. Shareholders may receive a credit for the tax that the fund paid on such undistributed net capital gain and would increase the basis in their shares of the fund by the difference between the amount of includible gains and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder.

Distributions of net capital gain that the fund properly reports as a capital gain distribution generally will be taxable as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shares of the fund have been held by a shareholder. Any loss realized upon the redemption of shares held at the time of redemption for six months or less from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions (including any undistributed amounts treated as distributed capital gains, as described above) during such six-month period.

Capital gain distributions by the fund result in a reduction in the net asset value of the fund’s shares. Investors should consider the tax implications of buying shares just prior to a capital gain distribution. The price of shares purchased at that time includes the amount of the forthcoming distribution. Those purchasing just prior to a distribution will subsequently receive a partial return of their investment capital upon payment of the distribution, which will be taxable to them.

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Redemptions and exchanges of fund shares — Redemptions of shares, including exchanges for shares of other American Funds, may result in federal, state and local tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder.

Any loss realized on a redemption or exchange of shares of the fund will be disallowed to the extent substantially identical shares are reacquired within the 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of. Any loss disallowed under this rule will be added to the shareholder’s tax basis in the new shares purchased.

If a shareholder exchanges or otherwise disposes of shares of the fund within 90 days of having acquired such shares, and if, as a result of having acquired those shares, the shareholder subsequently pays a reduced or no sales charge for shares of the fund, or of a different fund acquired before January 31st of the year following the year the shareholder exchanged or otherwise disposed of the original fund shares, the sales charge previously incurred in acquiring the fund’s shares will not be taken into account (to the extent such previous sales charges do not exceed the reduction in sales charges) for the purposes of determining the amount of gain or loss on the exchange, but will be treated as having been incurred in the acquisition of such other fund(s).

Tax consequences of investing in non-U.S. securities — Dividend and interest income received by the fund from sources outside the United States may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such foreign jurisdictions. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States, however, may reduce or eliminate these foreign taxes. Some foreign countries impose taxes on capital gains with respect to investments by foreign investors.

If more than 50% of the value of the total assets of the fund at the close of the taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the fund may elect to pass through to shareholders the foreign taxes paid by the fund. If such an election is made, shareholders may claim a credit or deduction on their federal income tax returns for, and will be required to treat as part of the amounts distributed to them, their pro rata portion of qualified taxes paid by the fund to foreign countries. The application of the foreign tax credit depends upon the particular circumstances of each shareholder.

Foreign currency gains and losses, including the portion of gain or loss on the sale of debt securities attributable to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, are generally taxable as ordinary income or loss. These gains or losses may increase or decrease the amount of dividends payable by the fund to shareholders. A fund may elect to treat gain and loss on certain foreign currency contracts as capital gain and loss instead of ordinary income or loss.

If the fund invests in stock of certain passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), the fund intends to mark-to-market these securities and recognize any gains at the end of its fiscal and excise tax years. Deductions for losses are allowable only to the extent of any previously recognized gains. Both gains and losses will be treated as ordinary income or loss, and the fund is required to distribute any resulting income. If the fund is unable to identify an investment as a PFIC security and thus does not make a timely mark-to-market election, the fund may be subject to adverse tax consequences.

Tax consequences of investing in derivatives — The fund may enter into transactions involving derivatives, such as futures, swaps and forward contracts. Special tax rules may apply to these types of transactions that could defer losses to the fund, accelerate the fund’s income, alter the holding period of certain securities or change the classification of capital gains. These tax rules may therefore impact the amount, timing and character of fund distributions.

Other tax considerations — After the end of each calendar year, individual shareholders holding fund shares in taxable accounts will receive a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions.

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Shareholders of the fund also may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the fund.

For fund shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012, the fund is required to report cost basis information for redemptions, including exchanges, to both shareholders and the IRS.

Shareholders may obtain more information about cost basis online at capitalgroup.com/costbasis.

Under the backup withholding provisions of the Code, the fund generally will be required to withhold federal income tax on all payments made to a shareholder if the shareholder either does not furnish the fund with the shareholder’s correct taxpayer identification number or fails to certify that the shareholder is not subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding also applies if the IRS notifies the shareholder or the fund that the taxpayer identification number provided by the shareholder is incorrect or that the shareholder has previously failed to properly report interest or dividend income.

The foregoing discussion of U.S. federal income tax law relates solely to the application of that law to U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens and legal residents and U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates). Each shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consider the U.S. and foreign tax consequences of ownership of shares of the fund, including the possibility that such a shareholder may be subject to U.S. withholding taxes.

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Unless otherwise noted, all references in the following pages to Class A, C, T or F-1 shares also refer to the corresponding Class 529-A, 529-C, 529-T or 529-F-1 shares. Class 529 shareholders should also refer to the applicable program description for information on policies and services specifically relating to these accounts. Shareholders holding shares through an eligible retirement plan should contact their plan’s administrator or recordkeeper for information regarding purchases, sales and exchanges.

Purchase and exchange of shares

Purchases by individuals — As described in the prospectus, you may generally open an account and purchase fund shares by contacting a financial advisor or investment dealer authorized to sell the fund’s shares. You may make investments by any of the following means:

Contacting your financial advisor — Deliver or mail a check to your financial advisor.

By mail — For initial investments, you may mail a check, made payable to the fund, directly to the address indicated on the account application. Please indicate an investment dealer on the account application. You may make additional investments by filling out the “Account Additions” form at the bottom of a recent transaction confirmation and mailing the form, along with a check made payable to the fund, using the envelope provided with your confirmation.

The amount of time it takes for us to receive regular U.S. postal mail may vary and there is no assurance that we will receive such mail on the day you expect. Mailing addresses for regular U.S. postal mail can be found in the prospectus. To send investments or correspondence to us via overnight mail or courier service, use either of the following addresses:

American Funds

12711 North Meridian Street

Carmel, IN 46032-9181

American Funds

5300 Robin Hood Road

Norfolk, VA 23513-2407

By telephone — Using the American FundsLine. Please see the “Shareholder account services and privileges” section of this statement of additional information for more information regarding this service.

By Internet — Using capitalgroup.com. Please see the “Shareholder account services and privileges” section of this statement of additional information for more information regarding this service.

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By wire — If you are making a wire transfer, instruct your bank to wire funds to:

Wells Fargo Bank

ABA Routing No. 121000248

Account No. 4600-076178

Your bank should include the following information when wiring funds:

For credit to the account of:

American Funds Service Company

(fund’s name)

For further credit to:

(shareholder’s fund account number)

(shareholder’s name)

You may contact American Funds Service Company at (800) 421-4225 if you have questions about making wire transfers.

Other purchase information — Class 529 shares may be purchased only through CollegeAmerica by investors establishing qualified higher education savings accounts. Class 529-E shares may be purchased only by investors participating in CollegeAmerica through an eligible employer plan. American Funds state tax-exempt funds are qualified for sale only in certain jurisdictions, and tax-exempt funds in general should not serve as retirement plan investments. In addition, the fund and the Principal Underwriter reserve the right to reject any purchase order.

Class R-5 and R-6 shares may be made available to certain charitable foundations organized and maintained by The Capital Group Companies, Inc. or its affiliates. Class R-6 shares are also available to corporate investment accounts established by The Capital Group Companies, Inc. and its affiliates.

Class R-5 and R-6 shares may also be made available to Virginia529 for use in the Virginia Education Savings Trust and the Virginia Prepaid Education Program and other registered investment companies approved by the fund’s investment adviser or distributor. Class R-6 shares are also available to other post employment benefits plans.

Purchase minimums and maximums — All investments are subject to the purchase minimums and maximums described in the prospectus. As noted in the prospectus, purchase minimums may be waived or reduced in certain cases.

In the case of American Funds non-tax-exempt funds, the initial purchase minimum of $25 may be waived for the following account types:

· Payroll deduction retirement plan accounts (such as, but not limited to, 403(b), 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, SARSEP and deferred compensation plan accounts); and

· Employer-sponsored CollegeAmerica accounts.

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The following account types may be established without meeting the initial purchase minimum:

· Retirement accounts that are funded with employer contributions; and

· Accounts that are funded with monies set by court decree.

The following account types may be established without meeting the initial purchase minimum, but shareholders wishing to invest in two or more funds must meet the normal initial purchase minimum of each fund:

· Accounts that are funded with (a) transfers of assets, (b) rollovers from retirement plans, (c) rollovers from 529 college savings plans or (d) required minimum distribution automatic exchanges; and

· American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund accounts registered in the name of clients of Capital Group Private Client Services.

Certain accounts held on the fund’s books, known as omnibus accounts, contain multiple underlying accounts that are invested in shares of the fund. These underlying accounts are maintained by entities such as financial intermediaries and are subject to the applicable initial purchase minimums as described in the prospectus and this statement of additional information. However, in the case where the entity maintaining these accounts aggregates the accounts’ purchase orders for fund shares, such accounts are not required to meet the fund’s minimum amount for subsequent purchases.

Exchanges — With the exception of Class T shares, for which rights of exchange are not generally available, you may only exchange shares without a sales charge into other American Funds within the same share class; however, Class A, C, T or F-1 shares may also generally be exchanged without a sales charge for the corresponding 529 share class.

Notwithstanding the above, exchanges from Class A shares of American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund may be made to Class C shares of other American Funds for dollar cost averaging purposes. However, exchanges are not permitted from Class A shares of American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund to Class C shares of (1) American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, (2) Intermediate Bond Fund of America, (3) Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America, (4) Short-Term Bond Fund of America or (5) American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund.

Exchange purchases are subject to the minimum investment requirements of the fund purchased and no sales charge generally applies. However, exchanges of shares from American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund are subject to applicable sales charges, unless the American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund shares were acquired by an exchange from a fund having a sales charge, or by reinvestment or cross-reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions.

Exchanges of Class F shares generally may only be made through fee-based programs of investment firms that have special agreements with the fund’s distributor and certain registered investment advisors.

You may exchange shares of other classes by contacting the Transfer Agent, by contacting your investment dealer or financial advisor, by using American FundsLine or capitalgroup.com, or by telephoning (800) 421-4225 toll-free, or faxing (see “American Funds Service Company service areas” in the prospectus for the appropriate fax numbers) the Transfer Agent. For more information, see “Shareholder account services and privileges” in this statement of additional information. These transactions have the same tax consequences as ordinary sales and purchases.

Shares held in employer-sponsored retirement plans may be exchanged into other American Funds by contacting your plan administrator or recordkeeper. Exchange redemptions and purchases are

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processed simultaneously at the share prices next determined after the exchange order is received (see “Price of shares” in this statement of additional information).

Conversion — Class C shares of the fund automatically convert to Class F-1 shares and Class 529-C shares of the fund automatically convert to Class 529-A shares, in each case in the month of the 10-year anniversary of the purchase date. The board of trustees of the fund reserves the right at any time, without shareholder approval, to amend the conversion features of the Class C and Class 529-C shares, including without limitation, providing for conversion into a different share class or for no conversion. In making its decision, the board of trustees will consider, among other things, the effect of any such amendment on shareholders.

Frequent trading of fund shares — As noted in the prospectus, certain redemptions may trigger a purchase block lasting 30 calendar days under the fund’s “purchase blocking policy.” Under this policy, systematic redemptions will not trigger a purchase block and systematic purchases will not be prevented if the entity maintaining the shareholder account is able to identify the transaction as a systematic redemption or purchase. For purposes of this policy, systematic redemptions include, for example, regular periodic automatic redemptions and statement of intention escrow share redemptions. Systematic purchases include, for example, regular periodic automatic purchases and automatic reinvestments of dividends and capital gain distributions. Generally, purchases and redemptions will not be considered “systematic” unless the transaction is prescheduled for a specific date.

Other potentially abusive activity — In addition to implementing purchase blocks, American Funds Service Company will monitor for other types of activity that could potentially be harmful to the American Funds — for example, short-term trading activity in multiple funds. When identified, American Funds Service Company will request that the shareholder discontinue the activity. If the activity continues, American Funds Service Company will freeze the shareholder account to prevent all activity other than redemptions of fund shares.

Moving between share classes

If you wish to “move” your investment between share classes (within the same fund or between different funds), we generally will process your request as an exchange of the shares you currently hold for shares in the new class or fund. Below is more information about how sales charges are handled for various scenarios.

Exchanging Class C shares for Class A or Class T shares — If you exchange Class C shares for Class A or Class T shares, you are still responsible for paying any Class C contingent deferred sales charges and applicable Class A or Class T sales charges.

Exchanging Class C shares for Class F shares — If you are part of a qualified fee-based program or approved self-directed platform and you wish to exchange your Class C shares for Class F shares to be held in the program, you are still responsible for paying any applicable Class C contingent deferred sales charges.

Exchanging Class F shares for Class A shares — You can exchange Class F shares held in a qualified fee-based program for Class A shares without paying an initial Class A sales charge if you are leaving or have left the fee-based program. You can exchange Class F shares received in a conversion from Class C shares for Class A shares at any time without paying an initial Class A sales charge if you notify American Funds Service Company of the conversion when you make your request. If you have already redeemed your Class F shares, the foregoing requirements apply and you must purchase Class A shares within 90 days after redeeming your Class F shares to receive the Class A shares without paying an initial Class A sales charge.

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Exchanging Class A or Class T shares for Class F shares — If you are part of a qualified fee-based program or approved self-directed platform and you wish to exchange your Class A or Class T shares for Class F shares to be held in the program, any Class A or Class T sales charges (including contingent deferred sales charges) that you paid or are payable will not be credited back to your account.

Exchanging Class A shares for Class R shares — Provided it is eligible to invest in Class R shares, a retirement plan currently invested in Class A shares may exchange its shares for Class R shares. Any Class A sales charges that the retirement plan previously paid will not be credited back to the plan’s account. No contingent deferred sales charge will be assessed as part of the share class conversion.

Moving between Class F shares — If you are part of a qualified fee-based program that offers Class F shares, you may exchange your Class F shares for any other Class F shares to be held in the program. For example, if you hold Class F-2 shares, you may exchange your shares for Class F-1 or Class F-3 shares to be held in the program.

Moving between other share classes — If you desire to move your investment between share classes and the particular scenario is not described in this statement of additional information, please contact American Funds Service Company at (800) 421-4225 for more information.

Non-reportable transactions — Automatic conversions described in the prospectus will be non-reportable for tax purposes. In addition, an exchange of shares from one share class of a fund to another share class of the same fund will be treated as a non-reportable exchange for tax purposes, provided that the exchange request is received in writing by American Funds Service Company and processed as a single transaction. However, a movement between a 529 share class and a non-529 share class of the same fund will be reportable.

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Sales charges

Class A purchases

Purchases by certain 403(b) plans

A 403(b) plan may not invest in American Funds Class A or C shares unless such plan was invested in Class A or C shares before January 1, 2009.

Participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that invested in American Funds Class A or C shares and were treated as an individual-type plan for sales charge purposes before January 1, 2009, may continue to be treated as accounts of an individual-type plan for sales charge purposes. Participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that invested in American Funds Class A or C shares and were treated as an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes before January 1, 2009, may continue to be treated as accounts of an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes. Participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that was established on or after January 1, 2009, are treated as accounts of an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes.

Purchases by SEP plans and SIMPLE IRA plans

Participant accounts in a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan or a Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of Small Employers IRA (SIMPLE IRA) will be aggregated at the plan level for Class A sales charge purposes if an employer adopts a prototype plan produced by American Funds Distributors, Inc. or (a) the employer or plan sponsor submits all contributions for all participating employees in a single contribution transmittal or the contributions are identified as related to the same plan; (b) each transmittal is accompanied by checks or wire transfers and generally must be submitted through the transfer agent’s automated contribution system if held on the fund’s books; and (c) if the fund is expected to carry separate accounts in the name of each plan participant and (i) the employer or plan sponsor notifies the funds’ transfer agent or the intermediary holding the account that the separate accounts of all plan participants should be linked and (ii) all new participant accounts are established by submitting the appropriate documentation on behalf of each new participant. Participant accounts in a SEP or SIMPLE plan that are eligible to aggregate their assets at the plan level may not also aggregate the assets with their individual accounts.

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Other purchases

In addition, American Funds Class A and Class 529-A shares may be offered at net asset value to companies exchanging securities with the fund through a merger, acquisition or exchange offer and to certain individuals meeting the criteria described above who invested in Class A and Class 529-A shares before Class F-2 and Class 529-F-1 shares were made available under this privilege.

Transfers to CollegeAmerica — A transfer from the Virginia Prepaid Education ProgramSM or the Virginia Education Savings TrustSM to a CollegeAmerica account will be made with no sales charge. No commission will be paid to the dealer on such a transfer. Investment dealers will be compensated solely with an annual service fee that begins to accrue immediately.

Class F-2 and Class 529-F-1 purchases

If requested, American Funds Class F-2 and Class 529-F-1 shares will be sold to:

     
  (1) current or retired directors, trustees, officers and advisory board members of, and certain lawyers who provide services to the funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company, current or retired employees of The Capital Group Companies, Inc. and its affiliated companies, certain family members of the above persons, and trusts or plans primarily for such persons; and
  (2) The Capital Group Companies, Inc. and its affiliated companies.

Once an account in Class F-2 or Class 529-F-1 is established under this privilege, additional investments can be made in Class F-2 or Class 529-F-1 for the life of the account. Depending on the financial intermediary holding your account, these privileges may be unavailable. Investors should consult their financial intermediary for further information.

Moving between accounts — American Funds investments by certain account types may be moved to other account types without incurring additional Class A sales charges. These transactions include:

· redemption proceeds from a non-retirement account (for example, a joint tenant account) used to purchase fund shares in an IRA or other individual-type retirement account;

· required minimum distributions from an IRA or other individual-type retirement account used to purchase fund shares in a non-retirement account; and

· death distributions paid to a beneficiary’s account that are used by the beneficiary to purchase fund shares in a different account.

Investors may not move investments from a Capital Bank & Trust Company SIMPLE IRA Plus to a Capital Bank & Trust Company SIMPLE IRA unless it is part of a plan transfer or to a current employer’s Capital Bank & Trust Company SIMPLE IRA plan.

These privileges are generally available only if your account is held directly with the fund’s transfer agent or if the financial intermediary holding your account has the systems, policies and procedures to support providing the privileges on its systems. Investors should consult their financial intermediary for further information.

Loan repayments — Repayments on loans taken from a retirement plan are not subject to sales charges if American Funds Service Company is notified of the repayment.

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Dealer commissions and compensation — Commissions (up to 1.00%) are paid to dealers who initiate and are responsible for certain Class A share purchases not subject to initial sales charges. These purchases consist of a) purchases of $1 million or more, and b) purchases by employer-sponsored defined contribution-type retirement plans investing $1 million or more or with 100 or more eligible employees. Commissions on such investments (other than IRA rollover assets that roll over at no sales charge under the fund’s IRA rollover policy as described in the prospectus) are paid to dealers at the following rates: 1.00% on amounts of less than $10 million, .50% on amounts of at least $10 million but less than $25 million and .25% on amounts of at least $25 million. Commissions are based on cumulative investments over the life of the account with no adjustment for redemptions, transfers, or market declines. For example, if a shareholder has accumulated investments in excess of $10 million (but less than $25 million) and subsequently redeems all or a portion of the account(s), purchases following the redemption will generate a dealer commission of .50%.

A dealer concession of up to 1% may be paid by the fund under its Class A plan of distribution to reimburse the Principal Underwriter in connection with dealer and wholesaler compensation paid by it with respect to investments made with no initial sales charge.

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Sales charge reductions and waivers

Reducing your Class A sales charge — As described in the prospectus, there are various ways to reduce your sales charge when purchasing Class A shares. Additional information about Class A sales charge reductions is provided below.

Statement of intention — By establishing a statement of intention (the "Statement"), you enter into a nonbinding commitment to purchase shares of American Funds (excluding American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund) over a 13-month period and receive the same sales charge (expressed as a percentage of your purchases) as if all shares had been purchased at once, unless the Statement is upgraded as described below.

The Statement period starts on the date on which your first purchase made toward satisfying the Statement is processed. Your accumulated holdings (as described in the paragraph below titled “Rights of accumulation”) eligible to be aggregated as of the day immediately before the start of the Statement period may be credited toward satisfying the Statement.

You may revise the commitment you have made in your Statement upward at any time during the Statement period. If your prior commitment has not been met by the time of the revision, the Statement period during which purchases must be made will remain unchanged. Purchases made from the date of the revision will receive the reduced sales charge, if any, resulting from the revised Statement. If your prior commitment has been met by the time of the revision, your original Statement will be considered met and a new Statement will be established.

The Statement will be considered completed if the shareholder dies within the 13-month Statement period. Commissions to dealers will not be adjusted or paid on the difference between the Statement amount and the amount actually invested before the shareholder’s death.

When a shareholder elects to use a Statement, shares equal to 5% of the dollar amount specified in the Statement may be held in escrow in the shareholder’s account out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases, if necessary) by the Transfer Agent. All dividends and any capital gain distributions on shares held in escrow will be credited to the shareholder’s account in shares (or paid in cash, if requested). If the intended investment is not completed within the specified Statement period the investments made during the statement period will be adjusted to reflect the difference between the sales charge actually paid and the sales charge which would have been paid if the total of such purchases had been made at a single time. Any dealers assigned to the shareholder’s account at the time a purchase was made during the Statement period will receive a corresponding commission adjustment if appropriate.

In addition, if you currently have individual holdings in American Legacy variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies that were established on or before March 31, 2007, you may continue to apply purchases under such contracts and policies to a Statement.

Shareholders purchasing shares at a reduced sales charge under a Statement indicate their acceptance of these terms and those in the prospectus with their first purchase.

Aggregation — Qualifying investments for aggregation include those made by you and your “immediate family” as defined in the prospectus, if all parties are purchasing shares for their own accounts and/or:

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· individual-type employee benefit plans, such as an IRA, single-participant Keogh-type plan, or a participant account of a 403(b) plan that is treated as an individual-type plan for sales charge purposes (see “Purchases by certain 403(b) plans” under “Sales charges” in this statement of additional information);

· SEP plans and SIMPLE IRA plans established after November 15, 2004, by an employer adopting any plan document other than a prototype plan produced by American Funds Distributors, Inc.;

· business accounts solely controlled by you or your immediate family (for example, you own the entire business);

· trust accounts established by you or your immediate family (for trusts with only one primary beneficiary, upon the trustor’s death the trust account may be aggregated with such beneficiary’s own accounts; for trusts with multiple primary beneficiaries, upon the trustor’s death the trustees of the trust may instruct American Funds Service Company to establish separate trust accounts for each primary beneficiary; each primary beneficiary’s separate trust account may then be aggregated with such beneficiary’s own accounts);

· endowments or foundations established and controlled by you or your immediate family; or

· 529 accounts, which will be aggregated at the account owner level (Class 529-E accounts may only be aggregated with an eligible employer plan).

Individual purchases by a trustee(s) or other fiduciary(ies) may also be aggregated if the investments are:

· for a single trust estate or fiduciary account, including employee benefit plans other than the individual-type employee benefit plans described above;

· made for two or more employee benefit plans of a single employer or of affiliated employers as defined in the 1940 Act, excluding the individual-type employee benefit plans described above;

· for a diversified common trust fund or other diversified pooled account not specifically formed for the purpose of accumulating fund shares;

· for nonprofit, charitable or educational organizations, or any endowments or foundations established and controlled by such organizations, or any employer-sponsored retirement plans established for the benefit of the employees of such organizations, their endowments, or their foundations;

· for participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that is treated as an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes (see “Purchases by certain 403(b) plans” under “Sales charges” in this statement of additional information), or made for participant accounts of two or more such plans, in each case of a single employer or affiliated employers as defined in the 1940 Act; or

· for a SEP or SIMPLE IRA plan established after November 15, 2004, by an employer adopting a prototype plan produced by American Funds Distributors, Inc.

Purchases made for nominee or street name accounts (securities held in the name of an investment dealer or another nominee such as a bank trust department instead of the customer) may not be aggregated with those made for other accounts and may not be aggregated with other nominee or street name accounts unless otherwise qualified as described above.

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Joint accounts may be aggregated with other accounts belonging to the primary owner and/or his or her immediate family. The primary owner of a joint account is the individual responsible for taxes on the account.

Concurrent purchases — As described in the prospectus, you may reduce your Class A sales charge by combining purchases of all classes of shares in American Funds. Shares of American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund purchased through an exchange, reinvestment or cross-reinvestment from a fund having a sales charge also qualify. However, direct purchases of American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund Class A shares are excluded. If you currently have individual holdings in American Legacy variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies that were established on or before March 31, 2007, you may continue to combine purchases made under such contracts and policies to reduce your Class A sales charge.

Rights of accumulation — Subject to the limitations described in the aggregation policy, you may take into account your accumulated holdings in all share classes of American Funds to determine your sales charge on investments in accounts eligible to be aggregated. Direct purchases of American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund Class A shares are excluded. Subject to your investment dealer’s or recordkeeper’s capabilities, your accumulated holdings will be calculated as the higher of (a) the current value of your existing holdings (the “market value”) as of the day prior to your American Funds investment or (b) the amount you invested (including reinvested dividends and capital gains, but excluding capital appreciation) less any withdrawals (the “cost value”). Depending on the entity on whose books your account is held, the value of your holdings in that account may not be eligible for calculation at cost value. For example, accounts held in nominee or street name may not be eligible for calculation at cost value and instead may be calculated at market value for purposes of rights of accumulation.

The value of all of your holdings in accounts established in calendar year 2005 or earlier will be assigned an initial cost value equal to the market value of those holdings as of the last business day of 2005. Thereafter, the cost value of such accounts will increase or decrease according to actual investments or withdrawals. You must contact your financial advisor or American Funds Service Company if you have additional information that is relevant to the calculation of the value of your holdings.

When determining your American Funds Class A sales charge, if your investment is not in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you may also continue to take into account the market value (as of the day prior to your American Funds investment) of your individual holdings in various American Legacy variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies that were established on or before March 31, 2007. An employer-sponsored retirement plan may also continue to take into account the market value of its investments in American Legacy Retirement Investment Plans that were established on or before March 31, 2007.

You may not purchase Class C or 529-C shares if such combined holdings cause you to be eligible to purchase Class A or 529-A shares at the $1 million or more sales charge discount rate (i.e. at net asset value).

If you make a gift of American Funds Class A shares, upon your request, you may purchase the shares at the sales charge discount allowed under rights of accumulation of all of your American Funds and applicable American Legacy accounts.

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Reducing your Class T sales charge — As described in the prospectus, the initial sales charge you pay each time you buy Class T shares may differ depending upon the amount you invest and may be reduced for larger purchases. Additionally, Class T shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions are not subject to an initial sales charge. Sales charges on Class T shares are applied on a transaction-by-transaction basis, and, accordingly, Class T shares are not eligible for any other sales charge waivers or reductions, including through the aggregation of Class T shares concurrently purchased by other related accounts or in other American Funds. The sales charge applicable to Class T shares may not be reduced by establishing a statement of intention, and rights of accumulation are not available for Class T shares.

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CDSC waivers for Class A and C shares — As noted in the prospectus, a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) will be waived for redemptions due to death or post-purchase disability of a shareholder (this generally excludes accounts registered in the names of trusts and other entities). In the case of joint tenant accounts, if one joint tenant dies, a surviving joint tenant, at the time he or she notifies the Transfer Agent of the other joint tenant’s death and removes the decedent’s name from the account, may redeem shares from the account without incurring a CDSC. Redemptions made after the Transfer Agent is notified of the death of a joint tenant will be subject to a CDSC.

In addition, a CDSC will be waived for the following types of transactions, if they do not exceed 12% of the value of an “account” (defined below) annually (the “12% limit”):

· Required minimum distributions taken from retirement accounts upon the shareholder’s attainment of age 70½ (required minimum distributions that continue to be taken by the beneficiary(ies) after the account owner is deceased also qualify for a waiver).

· Redemptions through an automatic withdrawal plan (“AWP”) (see “Automatic withdrawals” under “Shareholder account services and privileges” in this statement of additional information). For each AWP payment, assets that are not subject to a CDSC, such as shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and/or capital gain distributions, will be redeemed first and will count toward the 12% limit. If there is an insufficient amount of assets not subject to a CDSC to cover a particular AWP payment, shares subject to the lowest CDSC will be redeemed next until the 12% limit is reached. Any dividends and/or capital gain distributions taken in cash by a shareholder who receives payments through an AWP will also count toward the 12% limit. In the case of an AWP, the 12% limit is calculated at the time an automatic redemption is first made, and is recalculated at the time each additional automatic redemption is made. Shareholders who establish an AWP should be aware that the amount of a payment not subject to a CDSC may vary over time depending on fluctuations in the value of their accounts. This privilege may be revised or terminated at any time.

For purposes of this paragraph, “account” means your investment in the applicable class of shares of the particular fund from which you are making the redemption.

The CDSC on American Funds Class A shares may be waived in cases where the fund’s transfer agent determines the benefit to the fund of collecting the CDSC would be outweighed by the cost of applying it.

CDSC waivers are allowed only in the cases listed here and in the prospectus. For example, CDSC waivers will not be allowed on redemptions of Class 529-C shares due to termination of CollegeAmerica; a determination by the Internal Revenue Service that CollegeAmerica does not qualify as a qualified tuition program under the Code; proposal or enactment of law that eliminates or limits the tax-favored status of CollegeAmerica; or elimination of the fund by Virginia529 as an option for additional investment within CollegeAmerica.

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Selling shares

The methods for selling (redeeming) shares are described more fully in the prospectus. If you wish to sell your shares by contacting American Funds Service Company directly, any such request must be signed by the registered shareholders. To contact American Funds Service Company via overnight mail or courier service, see “Purchase and exchange of shares.”

A signature guarantee may be required for certain redemptions. In such an event, your signature may be guaranteed by a domestic stock exchange or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, bank, savings association or credit union that is an eligible guarantor institution. The Transfer Agent reserves the right to require a signature guarantee on any redemptions.

Additional documentation may be required for sales of shares held in corporate, partnership or fiduciary accounts. You must include with your written request any shares you wish to sell that are in certificate form.

If you sell Class A or C shares and request a specific dollar amount to be sold, we will sell sufficient shares so that the sale proceeds, after deducting any applicable CDSC, equals the dollar amount requested.

If you hold multiple American Funds and a CDSC applies to the shares you are redeeming, the CDSC will be calculated based on the applicable class of shares of the particular fund from which you are making the redemption.

Redemption proceeds will not be mailed until sufficient time has passed to provide reasonable assurance that checks or drafts (including certified or cashier’s checks) for shares purchased have cleared (normally seven business days from the purchase date). Except for delays relating to clearance of checks for share purchases or in extraordinary circumstances (and as permissible under the 1940 Act), the fund typically expects to pay redemption proceeds one business day following receipt and acceptance of a redemption order. Interest will not accrue or be paid on amounts that represent uncashed distribution or redemption checks.

You may request that redemption proceeds of $1,000 or more from American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund be wired to your bank by writing American Funds Service Company. A signature guarantee is required on all requests to wire funds.

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Shareholder account services and privileges

The following services and privileges are generally available to all shareholders. However, certain services and privileges described in the prospectus and this statement of additional information may not be available for Class 529 shareholders or if your account is held with an investment dealer or through an employer-sponsored retirement plan.

Automatic investment plan — An automatic investment plan enables you to make monthly or quarterly investments in American Funds through automatic debits from your bank account. To set up a plan, you must fill out an account application and specify the amount that you would like to invest and the date on which you would like your investments to occur. The plan will begin within 30 days after your account application is received. Your bank account will be debited on the day or a few days before your investment is made, depending on the bank’s capabilities. The Transfer Agent will then invest your money into the fund you specified on or around the date you specified. If the date you specified falls on a weekend or holiday, your money will be invested on the following business day. However, if the following business day falls in the next month, your money will be invested on the business day immediately preceding the weekend or holiday. If your bank account cannot be debited due to insufficient funds, a stop-payment or the closing of the account, the plan may be terminated and the related investment reversed. You may change the amount of the investment or discontinue the plan at any time by contacting the Transfer Agent.

Automatic reinvestment — Dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested in additional shares of the same class and fund at net asset value unless you indicate otherwise on the account application. You also may elect to have dividends and/or capital gain distributions paid in cash by informing the fund, the Transfer Agent or your investment dealer. Dividends and capital gain distributions paid to retirement plan shareholders or shareholders of the 529 share classes will be automatically reinvested.

If you have elected to receive dividends and/or capital gain distributions in cash, and the postal or other delivery service is unable to deliver checks to your address of record, or you do not respond to mailings from American Funds Service Company with regard to uncashed distribution checks, your distribution option may be automatically converted to having all dividends and other distributions reinvested in additional shares.

Cross-reinvestment of dividends and distributions — For all share classes, except Class T shares and the 529 classes of shares, you may cross-reinvest dividends and capital gains (distributions) into other American Funds in the same share class at net asset value, subject to the following conditions:

(1) the aggregate value of your account(s) in the fund(s) paying distributions equals or exceeds $5,000 (this is waived if the value of the account in the fund receiving the distributions equals or exceeds that fund’s minimum initial investment requirement);

(2) if the value of the account of the fund receiving distributions is below the minimum initial investment requirement, distributions must be automatically reinvested; and

(3) if you discontinue the cross-reinvestment of distributions, the value of the account of the fund receiving distributions must equal or exceed the minimum initial investment requirement. If you do not meet this requirement within 90 days of notification, the fund has the right to automatically redeem the account.

Depending on the financial intermediary holding your account, your reinvestment privileges may be unavailable or differ from those described in this statement of additional information. Investors should consult their financial intermediary for further information.

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Automatic exchanges — For all share classes other than Class T shares, you may automatically exchange shares of the same class in amounts of $50 or more among any American Funds on any day (or preceding business day if the day falls on a nonbusiness day) of each month you designate.

Automatic withdrawals — Depending on the type of account, for all share classes except R shares, you may automatically withdraw shares from any of the American Funds. You can make automatic withdrawals of $50 or more. You can designate the day of each period for withdrawals and request that checks be sent to you or someone else. Withdrawals may also be electronically deposited to your bank account. The Transfer Agent will withdraw your money from the fund you specify on or around the date you specify. If the date you specified falls on a weekend or holiday, the redemption will take place on the previous business day. However, if the previous business day falls in the preceding month, the redemption will take place on the following business day after the weekend or holiday. You should consult with your advisor or intermediary to determine if your account is eligible for automatic withdrawals.

Withdrawal payments are not to be considered as dividends, yield or income. Generally, automatic investments may not be made into a shareholder account from which there are automatic withdrawals. Withdrawals of amounts exceeding reinvested dividends and distributions and increases in share value would reduce the aggregate value of the shareholder’s account. The Transfer Agent arranges for the redemption by the fund of sufficient shares, deposited by the shareholder with the Transfer Agent, to provide the withdrawal payment specified.

Redemption proceeds from an automatic withdrawal plan are not eligible for reinvestment without a sales charge.

Account statements — Your account is opened in accordance with your registration instructions. Transactions in the account, such as additional investments, will be reflected on regular confirmation statements from the Transfer Agent. Dividend and capital gain reinvestments, purchases through automatic investment plans and certain retirement plans, as well as automatic exchanges and withdrawals, will be confirmed at least quarterly.

American FundsLine and capitalgroup.com — You may check your share balance, the price of your shares or your most recent account transaction; redeem shares (up to $125,000 per American Funds shareholder each day) from nonretirement plan accounts; or exchange shares around the clock with American FundsLine or using capitalgroup.com. To use American FundsLine, call (800) 325-3590 from a TouchTone™ telephone. Redemptions and exchanges through American FundsLine and capitalgroup.com are subject to the conditions noted above and in “Telephone and Internet purchases, redemptions and exchanges” below. You will need your fund number (see the list of American Funds under the “General information — fund numbers” section in this statement of additional information), personal identification number (generally the last four digits of your Social Security number or other tax identification number associated with your account) and account number.

Generally, all shareholders are automatically eligible to use these services. However, if you are not currently authorized to do so, you may complete an American FundsLink Authorization Form. Once you establish this privilege, you, your financial advisor or any person with your account information may use these services.

Telephone and Internet purchases, redemptions and exchanges — By using the telephone (including American FundsLine) or the Internet (including capitalgroup.com), or fax purchase, redemption and/or exchange options, you agree to hold the fund, the Transfer Agent, any of its affiliates or mutual funds managed by such affiliates, and each of their respective directors, trustees, officers, employees and agents harmless from any losses, expenses, costs or liabilities (including attorney fees) that may be incurred in connection with the exercise of these privileges. Generally, all shareholders are

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 82


 
 

 

automatically eligible to use these services. However, you may elect to opt out of these services by writing the Transfer Agent (you may also reinstate them at any time by writing the Transfer Agent). If the Transfer Agent does not employ reasonable procedures to confirm that the instructions received from any person with appropriate account information are genuine, it and/or the fund may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. In the event that shareholders are unable to reach the fund by telephone because of technical difficulties, market conditions or a natural disaster, redemption and exchange requests may be made in writing only.

Redemption of shares — The fund’s declaration of trust permits the fund to direct the Transfer Agent to redeem the shares of any shareholder for their then current net asset value per share if at such time the shareholder of record owns shares having an aggregate net asset value of less than the minimum initial investment amount required of new shareholders as set forth in the fund’s current registration statement under the 1940 Act, and subject to such further terms and conditions as the board of trustees of the fund may from time to time adopt.

While payment of redemptions normally will be in cash, the fund’s declaration of trust permits payment of the redemption price wholly or partly with portfolio securities or other fund assets under conditions and circumstances determined by the fund’s board of trustees. For example, redemptions could be made in this manner if the board determined that making payments wholly in cash over a particular period would be unfair and/or harmful to other fund shareholders.

Share certificates — Shares are credited to your account. The fund does not issue share certificates.

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General information

Custodian of assets — Securities and cash owned by the fund, including proceeds from the sale of shares of the fund and of securities in the fund’s portfolio, are held by Bank of New York Mellon, One Wall Street, New York, NY 10286, as custodian. If the fund holds securities of issuers outside the U.S., the custodian may hold these securities pursuant to subcustodial arrangements in banks outside the U.S. or branches of U.S. banks outside the U.S.

Transfer agent services — American Funds Service Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the investment adviser, maintains the records of shareholder accounts, processes purchases and redemptions of the fund’s shares, acts as dividend and capital gain distribution disbursing agent, and performs other related shareholder service functions. The principal office of American Funds Service Company is located at 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618. Transfer agent fees are paid according to a fee schedule, based principally on the number of accounts serviced, contained in a Shareholder Services Agreement between the fund and American Funds Service Company.

In the case of certain shareholder accounts, third parties who may be unaffiliated with the investment adviser provide transfer agency and shareholder services in place of American Funds Service Company. These services are rendered under agreements with American Funds Service Company or its affiliates and the third parties receive compensation according to such agreements. Compensation for transfer agency and shareholder services, whether paid to American Funds Service Company or such third parties, is ultimately paid from fund assets and is reflected in the expenses of the fund as disclosed in the prospectus.

During the 2019 fiscal year, transfer agent fees, gross of any payments made by American Funds Service Company to third parties, were:

   
  Transfer agent fee
Class A $330,000
Class C 26,000
Class T —*
Class F-1 23,000
Class F-2 98,000
Class F-3 1,000
Class 529-A 33,000
Class 529-C 7,000
Class 529-E 2,000
Class 529-T —*
Class 529-F-1 12,000
Class R-1 7,000
Class R-2 12,000
Class R-2E —*
Class R-3 77,000
Class R-4 6,000
Class R-5E —*
Class R-5 1,000
Class R-6 3,000

* Amount less than $1,000.

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Independent registered public accounting firm — PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 601 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017, serves as the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, providing audit services, preparation of tax returns and review of certain documents to be filed with the SEC. The financial statements included in this statement of additional information from the annual report have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein. Such financial statements have been so included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing. The selection of the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm is reviewed and determined annually by the board of trustees.

Independent legal counsel — Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, One Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110-1726, serves as independent legal counsel (“counsel”) for the fund and for independent trustees in their capacities as such. A determination with respect to the independence of the fund’s counsel will be made at least annually by the independent trustees of the fund, as prescribed by applicable 1940 Act rules.

Prospectuses, reports to shareholders and proxy statements — The fund’s fiscal year ends on August 31. Shareholders are provided updated summary prospectuses annually and at least semi-annually with reports showing the fund’s investment portfolio or summary investment portfolio, financial statements and other information. Shareholders may request a copy of the fund’s current prospectus at no cost by calling (800) 421-4225 or by sending an email request to [email protected]. Shareholders may also access the fund’s current summary prospectus, prospectus, statement of additional information and shareholder reports at capitalgroup.com/prospectus. The fund’s annual financial statements are audited by the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. In addition, shareholders may also receive proxy statements for the fund. In an effort to reduce the volume of mail shareholders receive from the fund when a household owns more than one account, the Transfer Agent has taken steps to eliminate duplicate mailings of summary prospectuses, shareholder reports and proxy statements. To receive additional copies of a summary prospectus, report or proxy statement, shareholders should contact the Transfer Agent.

Shareholders may also elect to receive updated summary prospectuses, annual reports and semi-annual reports electronically by signing up for electronic delivery on our website, capitalgroup.com. Upon electing the electronic delivery of updated summary prospectuses and other reports, a shareholder will no longer automatically receive such documents in paper form by mail. A shareholder who elects electronic delivery is able to cancel this service at any time and return to receiving updated summary prospectuses and other reports in paper form by mail.

Summary prospectuses, prospectuses, annual reports and semi-annual reports that are mailed to shareholders by the Capital Group organization are printed with ink containing soy and/or vegetable oil on paper containing recycled fibers.

Codes of ethics — The fund and Capital Research and Management Company and its affiliated companies, including the fund’s Principal Underwriter, have adopted codes of ethics that allow for personal investments, including securities in which the fund may invest from time to time. These codes include a ban on acquisitions of securities pursuant to an initial public offering; restrictions on acquisitions of private placement securities; preclearance and reporting requirements; review of duplicate confirmation statements; annual recertification of compliance with codes of ethics; blackout periods on personal investing for certain investment personnel; ban on short-term trading profits for investment personnel; limitations on service as a director of publicly traded companies; disclosure of personal securities transactions; and policies regarding political contributions.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 85


 
 

 

 

Determination of net asset value, redemption price and maximum offering price per share for Class A shares — August 31, 2019

   
Net asset value and redemption price per share
(Net assets divided by shares outstanding)  
$10.21
Maximum offering price per share
(100/96.25 of net asset value per share, which takes into account the fund’s current maximum sales charge)  
$10.61

Other information — The fund reserves the right to modify the privileges described in this statement of additional information at any time.

The fund’s financial statements, including the investment portfolio and the report of the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm contained in the annual report, are included in this statement of additional information.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 86


 
 

 

 

Fund numbers — Here are the fund numbers for use with our automated telephone line, American FundsLine®, or when making share transactions:

             
  Fund numbers
Fund Class A Class C Class T Class F-1 Class F-2 Class F-3
Stock and stock/fixed income funds            
AMCAP Fund®  002 302 43002 402 602 702
American Balanced Fund®  011 311 43011 411 611 711
American Funds Developing World Growth and Income FundSM  30100 33100 43100 34100 36100 37100
American Funds Global Balanced FundSM  037 337 43037 437 637 737
American Mutual Fund®  003 303 43003 403 603 703
Capital Income Builder®  012 312 43012 412 612 712
Capital World Growth and Income Fund®  033 333 43033 433 633 733
EuroPacific Growth Fund®  016 316 43016 416 616 716
Fundamental Investors®  010 310 43010 410 610 710
The Growth Fund of America®  005 305 43005 405 605 705
The Income Fund of America®  006 306 43006 406 606 706
International Growth and Income FundSM  034 334 43034 434 634 734
The Investment Company of America®  004 304 43004 404 604 704
The New Economy Fund®  014 314 43014 414 614 714
New Perspective Fund®  007 307 43007 407 607 707
New World Fund®  036 336 43036 436 636 736
SMALLCAP World Fund®  035 335 43035 435 635 735
Washington Mutual Investors FundSM  001 301 43001 401 601 701
Fixed income funds            
American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund®  30114 33114 43114 34114 36114 37114
American Funds Corporate Bond Fund®  032 332 43032 432 632 732
American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund®  060 360 43060 460 660 760
American Funds Mortgage Fund®  042 342 43042 442 642 742
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt
Bond Fund® 
039 N/A 43039 439 639 739
American Funds Strategic Bond FundSM  30112 33112 43112 34112 36112 37112
American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of
New York® 
041 341 43041 441 641 741
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund® 040 340 43040 440 640 740
American High-Income Trust®  021 321 43021 421 621 721
The Bond Fund of America®  008 308 43008 408 608 708
Capital World Bond Fund®  031 331 43031 431 631 731
Intermediate Bond Fund of America®  023 323 43023 423 623 723
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
of America® 
043 343 43043 443 643 743
Short-Term Bond Fund of America®  048 348 43048 448 648 748
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America®  019 319 43019 419 619 719
The Tax-Exempt Fund of California®  020 320 43020 420 620 720
U.S. Government Securities Fund®  022 322 43022 422 622 722
Money market fund            
American Funds U.S. Government
Money Market FundSM 
059 359 43059 459 659 759

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 87


 
 

 

             
  Fund numbers
Fund Class
529-A
Class
529-C
Class
529-E
Class
529-T
Class
529-F-1
Class
ABLE-A
Stock and stock/fixed income funds            
AMCAP Fund  1002 1302 1502 46002 1402 N/A
American Balanced Fund  1011 1311 1511 46011 1411 N/A
American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund  10100 13100 15100 46100 14100 N/A
American Funds Global Balanced Fund  1037 1337 1537 46037 1437 N/A
American Mutual Fund  1003 1303 1503 46003 1403 N/A
Capital Income Builder  1012 1312 1512 46012 1412 N/A
Capital World Growth and Income Fund  1033 1333 1533 46033 1433 N/A
EuroPacific Growth Fund  1016 1316 1516 46016 1416 N/A
Fundamental Investors  1010 1310 1510 46010 1410 N/A
The Growth Fund of America  1005 1305 1505 46005 1405 N/A
The Income Fund of America  1006 1306 1506 46006 1406 N/A
International Growth and Income Fund  1034 1334 1534 46034 1434 N/A
The Investment Company of America  1004 1304 1504 46004 1404 N/A
The New Economy Fund  1014 1314 1514 46014 1414 N/A
New Perspective Fund  1007 1307 1507 46007 1407 N/A
New World Fund  1036 1336 1536 46036 1436 N/A
SMALLCAP World Fund  1035 1335 1535 46035 1435 N/A
Washington Mutual Investors Fund  1001 1301 1501 46001 1401 N/A
Fixed income funds            
American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund   10114 13114 15114 46114 14114 N/A
American Funds Corporate Bond Fund   1032 1332 1532 46032 1432 N/A
American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund  1060 1360 1560 46060 1460 N/A
American Funds Mortgage Fund  1042 1342 1542 46042 1442 N/A
American Funds Strategic Bond Fund  10112 13112 15112 46112 14112 N/A
American High-Income Trust  1021 1321 1521 46021 1421 N/A
The Bond Fund of America  1008 1308 1508 46008 1408 N/A
Capital World Bond Fund  1031 1331 1531 46031 1431 N/A
Intermediate Bond Fund of America  1023 1323 1523 46023 1423 N/A
Short-Term Bond Fund of America  1048 1348 1548 46048 1448 N/A
U.S. Government Securities Fund  1022 1322 1522 46022 1422 N/A
Money market fund            
American Funds U.S. Government
Money Market Fund 
1059 1359 1559 46059 1459 48059

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  Fund numbers
Fund Class
R-1
Class
R-2
Class
R-2E
Class
R-3
Class
R-4
Class
R-5E
Class
R-5
Class
R-6
Stock and stock/fixed income funds                
AMCAP Fund  2102 2202 4102 2302 2402 2702 2502 2602
American Balanced Fund  2111 2211 4111 2311 2411 2711 2511 2611
American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund  21100 22100 41100 23100 24100 27100 25100 26100
American Funds Global Balanced Fund  2137 2237 4137 2337 2437 2737 2537 2637
American Mutual Fund  2103 2203 4103 2303 2403 2703 2503 2603
Capital Income Builder  2112 2212 4112 2312 2412 2712 2512 2612
Capital World Growth and Income Fund 2133 2233 4133 2333 2433 2733 2533 2633
EuroPacific Growth Fund  2116 2216 4116 2316 2416 2716 2516 2616
Fundamental Investors  2110 2210 4110 2310 2410 2710 2510 2610
The Growth Fund of America  2105 2205 4105 2305 2405 2705 2505 2605
The Income Fund of America  2106 2206 4106 2306 2406 2706 2506 2606
International Growth and Income Fund  2134 2234 41034 2334 2434 27034 2534 2634
The Investment Company of America 2104 2204 4104 2304 2404 2704 2504 2604
The New Economy Fund  2114 2214 4114 2314 2414 2714 2514 2614
New Perspective Fund  2107 2207 4107 2307 2407 2707 2507 2607
New World Fund  2136 2236 4136 2336 2436 2736 2536 2636
SMALLCAP World Fund  2135 2235 4135 2335 2435 2735 2535 2635
Washington Mutual Investors Fund  2101 2201 4101 2301 2401 2701 2501 2601
Fixed income funds                
American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund  21114 22114 41114 23114 24114 27114 25114 26114
American Funds Corporate Bond Fund  2132 2232 4132 2332 2432 2732 2532 2632
American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund  2160 2260 4160 2360 2460 2760 2560 2660
American Funds Mortgage Fund  2142 2242 4142 2342 2442 2742 2542 2642
American Funds Strategic Bond Fund  21112 22112 41112 23112 24112 27112 25112 26112
American High-Income Trust  2121 2221 4121 2321 2421 2721 2521 2621
The Bond Fund of America  2108 2208 4108 2308 2408 2708 2508 2608
Capital World Bond Fund  2131 2231 4131 2331 2431 2731 2531 2631
Intermediate Bond Fund of America 2123 2223 4123 2323 2423 2723 2523 2623
Short-Term Bond Fund of America  2148 2248 4148 2348 2448 2748 2548 2648
U.S. Government Securities Fund  2122 2222 4122 2322 2422 2722 2522 2622
Money market fund                
American Funds U.S. Government
Money Market Fund 
2159 2259 4159 2359 2459 2759 2559 2659

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 89


 
 

 

             
  Fund numbers
Fund Class A Class C Class T Class F-1 Class F-2 Class F-3
American Funds Target Date Retirement Series®            
American Funds 2060 Target Date Retirement Fund® 083 383 43083 483 683 783
American Funds 2055 Target Date Retirement Fund® 082 382 43082 482 682 782
American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund® 069 369 43069 469 669 769
American Funds 2045 Target Date Retirement Fund® 068 368 43068 468 668 768
American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund® 067 367 43067 467 667 767
American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund® 066 366 43066 466 36066 766
American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund® 065 365 43065 465 665 765
American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Fund® 064 364 43064 464 664 764
American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund® 063 363 43063 463 663 763
American Funds 2015 Target Date Retirement Fund® 062 362 43062 462 662 762
American Funds 2010 Target Date Retirement Fund® 061 361 43061 461 661 761
                 
  Fund numbers
Fund Class
R-1
Class
R-2
Class
R-2E
Class
R-3
Class
R-4
Class
R-5E
Class
R-5
Class
R-6
American Funds Target Date Retirement Series®                
American Funds 2060
Target Date Retirement Fund®
2183 2283 4183 2383 2483 2783 2583 2683
American Funds 2055
Target Date Retirement Fund®
2182 2282 4182 2382 2482 2782 2582 2682
American Funds 2050
Target Date Retirement Fund®
2169 2269 4169 2369 2469 2769 2569 2669
American Funds 2045
Target Date Retirement Fund®
2168 2268 4168 2368 2468 2768 2568 2668
American Funds 2040
Target Date Retirement Fund®
2167 2267 4167 2367 2467 2767 2567 2667
American Funds 2035
Target Date Retirement Fund®
2166 2266 4166 2366 2466 2766 2566 2666
American Funds 2030
Target Date Retirement Fund®
2165 2265 4165 2365 2465 2765 2565 2665
American Funds 2025
Target Date Retirement Fund®
2164 2264 4164 2364 2464 2764 2564 2664
American Funds 2020
Target Date Retirement Fund®
2163 2263 4163 2363 2463 2763 2563 2663
American Funds 2015
Target Date Retirement Fund®
2162 2262 4162 2362 2462 2762 2562 2662
American Funds 2010
Target Date Retirement Fund®
2161 2261 4161 2361 2461 2761 2561 2661

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 90


 
 

 

           
  Fund numbers
Fund Class
529-A
Class
529-C
Class
529-E
Class
529-T
Class
529-F-1
American Funds College Target Date Series®          
American Funds College 2036 FundSM  10125 13125 15125 46125 14125
American Funds College 2033 Fund®  10103 13103 15103 46103 14103
American Funds College 2030 Fund®  1094 1394 1594 46094 1494
American Funds College 2027 Fund®  1093 1393 1593 46093 1493
American Funds College 2024 Fund®  1092 1392 1592 46092 1492
American Funds College 2021 Fund®  1091 1391 1591 46091 1491
American Funds College Enrollment Fund®  1088 1388 1588 46088 1488
             
  Fund numbers
Fund Class
A
Class
C
Class
T
Class
F-1
Class
F-2
Class
F-3
American Funds Portfolio SeriesSM            
American Funds Global Growth PortfolioSM  055 355 43055 455 655 755
American Funds Growth PortfolioSM  053 353 43053 453 653 753
American Funds Growth and Income PortfolioSM  051 351 43051 451 651 751
American Funds Moderate
Growth and Income PortfolioSM 
050 350 43050 450 650 750
American Funds Conservative
Growth and Income PortfolioSM 
047 347 43047 447 647 747
American Funds Tax-Advantaged
Growth and Income PortfolioSM 
046 346 43046 446 646 746
American Funds Preservation PortfolioSM  045 345 43045 445 645 745
American Funds Tax-Exempt Preservation PortfolioSM 044 344 43044 444 644 744
             
  Fund numbers
Fund Class
529-A
Class
529-C
Class
529-E
Class
529-T
Class
529-F-1
Class
ABLE-A
American Funds Global Growth Portfolio  1055 1355 1555 46055 1455 48055
American Funds Growth Portfolio  1053 1353 1553 46053 1453 48053
American Funds Growth and Income Portfolio  1051 1351 1551 46051 1451 48051
American Funds Moderate
Growth and Income Portfolio 
1050 1350 1550 46050 1450 48050
American Funds Conservative
Growth and Income Portfolio 
1047 1347 1547 46047 1447 48047
American Funds Tax-Advantaged
Growth and Income Portfolio 
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
American Funds Preservation Portfolio  1045 1345 1545 46045 1445 48045
American Funds Tax-Exempt Preservation Portfolio  N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
                 
  Fund numbers
Fund Class
R-1
Class
R-2
Class
R-2E
Class
R-3
Class
R-4
Class
R-5E
Class
R-5
Class
R-6
American Funds Global Growth Portfolio  2155 2255 4155 2355 2455 2755 2555 2655
American Funds Growth Portfolio  2153 2253 4153 2353 2453 2753 2553 2653
American Funds Growth and Income Portfolio  2151 2251 4151 2351 2451 2751 2551 2651
American Funds Moderate
Growth and Income Portfolio 
2150 2250 4150 2350 2450 2750 2550 2650
American Funds Conservative
Growth and Income Portfolio 
2147 2247 4147 2347 2447 2747 2547 2647
American Funds Tax-Advantaged
Growth and Income Portfolio 
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
American Funds Preservation Portfolio  2145 2245 4145 2345 2445 2745 2545 2645
American Funds Tax-Exempt Preservation Portfolio N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 91


 
 

 

             
  Fund numbers
Fund Class A Class C Class T Class F-1 Class F-2 Class F-3
American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio SeriesSM            
American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio – ConservativeSM  30109 33109 43109 34109 36109 37109
American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio – ModerateSM  30110 33110 43110 34110 36110 37110
American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio – EnhancedSM  30111 33111 43111 34111 36111 37111
                 
  Fund numbers
Fund Class
R-1
Class
R-2
Class
R-2E
Class
R-3
Class
R-4
Class
R-5E
Class
R-5
Class
R-6
American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio – Conservative  21109 22109 41109 23109 24109 27109 25109 26109
American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio – Moderate  21110 22110 41110 23110 24110 27110 25110 26110
American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio – Enhanced  21111 22111 41111 23111 24111 27111 25111 26111

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 92


 
 

 

 

Appendix

The following descriptions of debt security ratings are based on information provided by Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and Fitch Ratings, Inc.

Description of bond ratings

Moody’s
Long-term rating scale

Aaa
Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

Aa
Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

A
Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa
Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Ba
Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

B
Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

Caa
Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative and of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Ca
Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

C
Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies and securities firms.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 93


 
 

 

 

Standard & Poor’s
Long-term issue credit ratings

AAA
An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

AA
An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

A
An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

BBB
An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

BB, B, CCC, CC, and C

Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

BB
An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

B
An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CCC
An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CC
An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The CC rating is used when a default has not occurred, but Standard & Poor’s expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 94


 
 

 

C
An obligation rated C is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared to obligations that are rated higher.

D
An obligation rated D is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

Plus (+) or minus (–)

The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

NR

This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor’s does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 95


 
 

 

 

Fitch Ratings, Inc.
Long-term credit ratings

AAA
Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA
Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A
High credit quality. A ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB
Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

BB
Speculative. BB ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.

B
Highly speculative. B ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

CCC
Substantial credit risk. Default is a real possibility.

CC
Very high levels of credit risk. Default of some kind appears probable.

C
Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill. Conditions that are indicative of a C category rating for an issuer include:

· The issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following nonpayment of a material financial obligation;

· The issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation; or

· Fitch Ratings otherwise believes a condition of RD or D to be imminent or inevitable, including through the formal announcement of a distressed debt exchange.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 96


 
 

 

RD
Restricted default. RD ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased operating. This would include:

· The selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt;

· The uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation;

· The extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; or

· Execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations.

D
Default. D ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business.

Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, nonpayment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.

Imminent default typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.

In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice.

Note: The modifiers “+” or “–” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA long-term rating category, or to categories below B.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 97


 
 

 

 

Description of commercial paper ratings

Moody’s

Global short-term rating scale

P-1

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-2

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-3

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

NP

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

Standard & Poor’s

Commercial paper ratings (highest three ratings)

A-1

A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

A-2

A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

A-3

A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 98


 

 
 

 

 

American Funds Mortgage Fund®
 
Investment portfolio
August 31, 2019
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments 89.14%
Mortgage-backed obligations 66.41%
Federal agency mortgage-backed obligations 64.74%
Principal amount
(000)
Value
(000)
Fannie Mae 3.00% 20331 $399 $409
Fannie Mae 5.00% 20401 472 494
Fannie Mae 4.00% 20431 5,602 5,968
Fannie Mae 4.50% 20471 4,964 5,158
Fannie Mae 3.50% 20571 18,554 19,388
Fannie Mae Pool #AE9138 3.50% 20201 2 3
Fannie Mae Pool #MA0702 3.00% 20211 44 46
Fannie Mae Pool #AE8705 3.00% 20251 62 64
Fannie Mae Pool #AK9045 3.00% 20271 26 26
Fannie Mae Pool #BD2402 3.00% 20311 428 440
Fannie Mae Pool #BM4151 2.50% 20321 11,103 11,270
Fannie Mae Pool #BM1275 3.00% 20321 918 944
Fannie Mae Pool #CA3274 3.00% 20321 912 937
Fannie Mae Pool #BE3641 3.00% 20321 818 841
Fannie Mae Pool #BJ5987 3.00% 20321 778 799
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3188 3.00% 20321 157 162
Fannie Mae Pool #BM3716 3.00% 20321 66 68
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3218 3.00% 20321 39 40
Fannie Mae Pool #MA1640 2.50% 20331 1,855 1,880
Fannie Mae Pool #AB9299 2.50% 20331 498 502
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3437 3.00% 20331 2,850 2,925
Fannie Mae Pool #BK9656 3.00% 20331 1,658 1,700
Fannie Mae Pool #BK7446 3.00% 20331 1,429 1,466
Fannie Mae Pool #BK4390 3.00% 20331 949 974
Fannie Mae Pool #BK7452 3.00% 20331 944 968
Fannie Mae Pool #CA2545 3.00% 20331 936 962
Fannie Mae Pool #BK1943 3.00% 20331 931 956
Fannie Mae Pool #BK9647 3.00% 20331 856 877
Fannie Mae Pool #CA1624 3.00% 20331 852 875
Fannie Mae Pool #BK7376 3.00% 20331 822 843
Fannie Mae Pool #BK5013 3.00% 20331 820 841
Fannie Mae Pool #BK0785 3.00% 20331 742 761
Fannie Mae Pool #BK9680 3.00% 20331 715 733
Fannie Mae Pool #BJ4876 3.00% 20331 640 659
Fannie Mae Pool #BK0857 3.00% 20331 577 592
Fannie Mae Pool #BK9642 3.00% 20331 569 583
Fannie Mae Pool #BM5111 3.00% 20331 355 365
Fannie Mae Pool #BJ8607 3.00% 20331 232 238
Fannie Mae Pool #BK3714 3.00% 20331 230 236
Fannie Mae Pool #BJ7193 3.00% 20331 221 228
Fannie Mae Pool #BK7894 3.00% 20331 184 188
Fannie Mae Pool #BJ5923 3.00% 20331 171 175
Fannie Mae Pool #BJ4856 3.00% 20331 155 159
Fannie Mae Pool #BJ3975 3.00% 20331 146 150
Fannie Mae Pool #BJ3946 3.00% 20331 96 99
Fannie Mae Pool #BM5108 3.00% 20331 75 77
American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 1 of 10

Bonds, notes & other debt instruments (continued)
Mortgage-backed obligations (continued)
Federal agency mortgage-backed obligations (continued)
Principal amount
(000)
Value
(000)
Fannie Mae Pool #BK5000 3.00% 20331 $52 $54
Fannie Mae Pool #BJ8593 3.00% 20331 47 48
Fannie Mae Pool #BJ4573 3.00% 20331 27 28
Fannie Mae Pool #BM3919 3.00% 20331 21 22
Fannie Mae Pool #BJ9000 3.50% 20331 305 318
Fannie Mae Pool #CA2106 3.50% 20331 72 75
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3490 4.00% 20331 111,476 116,839
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3439 4.00% 20331 14,107 14,764
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3764 2.50% 20341 33,853 34,313
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3631 3.00% 20341 3,984 4,087
Fannie Mae Pool #BN8602 3.00% 20341 1,567 1,608
Fannie Mae Pool #BJ7631 3.00% 20341 364 373
Fannie Mae Pool #BN5298 3.00% 20341 211 217
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3657 3.00% 20341 59 61
Fannie Mae Pool #BN9992 3.00% 20341 60 61
Fannie Mae Pool #MA2746 4.00% 20361 5,701 5,992
Fannie Mae Pool #AS7224 4.00% 20361 5,363 5,685
Fannie Mae Pool #MA2717 4.00% 20361 3,458 3,635
Fannie Mae Pool #MA2819 4.00% 20361 3,208 3,372
Fannie Mae Pool #MA2787 4.00% 20361 1,569 1,649
Fannie Mae Pool #MA2630 4.00% 20361 700 742
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3186 4.00% 20371 13,856 14,527
Fannie Mae Pool #AU0626 2.275% 20431 184 179
Fannie Mae Pool #AT7470 2.275% 20431 120 116
Fannie Mae Pool #AU8121 2.275% 20431 103 100
Fannie Mae Pool #AU8120 2.275% 20431 81 79
Fannie Mae Pool #AU0627 2.525% 20431 209 210
Fannie Mae Pool #AU3962 2.525% 20431 138 139
Fannie Mae Pool #AU1583 2.525% 20431 134 135
Fannie Mae Pool #AT4747 2.525% 20431 129 130
Fannie Mae Pool #AU1575 2.525% 20431 127 128
Fannie Mae Pool #AU3961 2.525% 20431 120 121
Fannie Mae Pool #AU1584 2.525% 20431 115 116
Fannie Mae Pool #AU3963 2.525% 20431 99 99
Fannie Mae Pool #AU8122 2.525% 20431 95 96
Fannie Mae Pool #AT7476 2.525% 20431 93 94
Fannie Mae Pool #AU8124 2.525% 20431 83 83
Fannie Mae Pool #AU8123 2.525% 20431 78 79
Fannie Mae Pool #AU6340 2.525% 20431 77 78
Fannie Mae Pool #AU1585 2.525% 20431 66 66
Fannie Mae Pool #AU4813 2.525% 20431 58 58
Fannie Mae Pool #AU4814 2.525% 20431 48 49
Fannie Mae Pool #AU1577 2.775% 20431 346 352
Fannie Mae Pool #AU8126 2.775% 20431 346 351
Fannie Mae Pool #AU4816 2.775% 20431 322 327
Fannie Mae Pool #AT9853 2.775% 20431 217 220
Fannie Mae Pool #AU3964 2.775% 20431 206 209
Fannie Mae Pool #AU4817 2.775% 20431 137 139
Fannie Mae Pool #AU1587 2.775% 20431 124 126
Fannie Mae Pool #AU6341 2.775% 20431 103 104
Fannie Mae Pool #AT9852 2.775% 20431 102 103
Fannie Mae Pool #AU8125 2.775% 20431 96 97
Fannie Mae Pool #AU1576 2.775% 20431 81 82
Fannie Mae Pool #AU0629 2.775% 20431 63 63
American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 2 of 10

Bonds, notes & other debt instruments (continued)
Mortgage-backed obligations (continued)
Federal agency mortgage-backed obligations (continued)
Principal amount
(000)
Value
(000)
Fannie Mae Pool #AU3965 2.775% 20431 $59 $60
Fannie Mae Pool #AT8826 2.775% 20431 57 58
Fannie Mae Pool #AU8127 2.775% 20431 54 55
Fannie Mae Pool #AT8825 2.775% 20431 43 44
Fannie Mae Pool #AU3966 3.025% 20431 332 338
Fannie Mae Pool #AT7457 3.025% 20431 202 206
Fannie Mae Pool #AU3968 3.025% 20431 183 187
Fannie Mae Pool #AU1589 3.025% 20431 160 164
Fannie Mae Pool #AU3967 3.025% 20431 132 135
Fannie Mae Pool #AU8129 3.025% 20431 103 106
Fannie Mae Pool #AU4819 3.025% 20431 90 92
Fannie Mae Pool #AU1588 3.025% 20431 84 86
Fannie Mae Pool #AU6343 3.025% 20431 80 82
Fannie Mae Pool #AU0630 3.025% 20431 74 76
Fannie Mae Pool #AU6342 3.025% 20431 43 44
Fannie Mae Pool #AU6344 3.275% 20431 140 144
Fannie Mae Pool #AT8820 3.275% 20431 70 72
Fannie Mae Pool #AU8131 3.275% 20431 59 61
Fannie Mae Pool #AU1591 3.275% 20431 31 32
Fannie Mae Pool #AL7701 4.00% 20451 8,651 9,196
Fannie Mae Pool #BD2379 4.00% 20461 7,108 7,493
Fannie Mae Pool #BD2440 3.50% 20471 1,242 1,291
Fannie Mae Pool #AS9454 4.00% 20471 59,464 62,607
Fannie Mae Pool #CA0133 4.00% 20471 44,165 46,449
Fannie Mae Pool #BH2597 4.00% 20471 18,062 18,997
Fannie Mae Pool #BH8285 4.00% 20471 17,890 18,810
Fannie Mae Pool #BH2060 4.00% 20471 6,205 6,488
Fannie Mae Pool #BH4604 4.00% 20471 4,205 4,425
Fannie Mae Pool #BH2062 4.00% 20471 3,763 3,943
Fannie Mae Pool #BH2884 4.00% 20471 2,406 2,533
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3183 4.00% 20471 97 102
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3088 4.00% 20471 78 82
Fannie Mae Pool #BM4488 3.466% 20481,2 29,482 30,416
Fannie Mae Pool #BK3204 3.50% 20481 3,771 3,898
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3384 4.00% 20481 80,859 84,009
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3467 4.00% 20481 19,489 20,242
Fannie Mae Pool #BJ9256 4.00% 20481 12,255 12,781
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3536 4.00% 20481 9,390 9,755
Fannie Mae Pool #CA2538 4.00% 20481 1,873 1,949
Fannie Mae Pool #BK0920 4.00% 20481 1,236 1,289
Fannie Mae Pool #BK8819 4.00% 20481 931 969
Fannie Mae Pool #BK7117 4.00% 20481 744 776
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3415 4.00% 20481 715 745
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3495 4.00% 20481 640 665
Fannie Mae Pool #CA2376 4.00% 20481 626 654
Fannie Mae Pool #BK5328 4.00% 20481 173 180
Fannie Mae Pool #BM2006 4.00% 20481 92 96
Fannie Mae Pool #CA1907 4.50% 20481 180,164 191,078
Fannie Mae Pool #CA1709 4.50% 20481 90,696 96,217
Fannie Mae Pool #CA1563 4.50% 20481 36,702 39,014
Fannie Mae Pool #CA2055 4.50% 20481 34,262 36,337
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3496 4.50% 20481 5,671 5,983
Fannie Mae Pool #CA1389 4.50% 20481 821 871
Fannie Mae Pool #BN1576 4.50% 20481 328 347
American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 3 of 10

Bonds, notes & other debt instruments (continued)
Mortgage-backed obligations (continued)
Federal agency mortgage-backed obligations (continued)
Principal amount
(000)
Value
(000)
Fannie Mae Pool #CA1574 5.00% 20481 $28,255 $30,352
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3775 3.50% 20491 42,585 43,875
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3692 3.50% 20491 39,036 40,212
Fannie Mae Pool #CA3309 3.50% 20491 8,106 8,375
Fannie Mae Pool #BN6407 3.50% 20491 1,626 1,675
Fannie Mae Pool #BN1030 3.50% 20491 392 403
Fannie Mae Pool #BJ8402 3.544% 20491,2 4,909 5,091
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3776 4.00% 20491 11,655 12,139
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3664 4.00% 20491 6,180 6,410
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3639 4.50% 20491 33,945 35,754
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3564 4.50% 20491 21,149 22,232
Fannie Mae Pool #BJ7731 4.50% 20491 1,784 1,884
Fannie Mae Pool #AS0745 3.50% 20531 1,728 1,744
Freddie Mac 4.00% 20361 1,422 1,495
Freddie Mac 4.00% 20361 1,390 1,474
Freddie Mac 4.00% 20361 1,015 1,076
Freddie Mac 6.00% 20381 120 138
Freddie Mac 4.00% 20411 354 368
Freddie Mac 3.50% 20461 322 329
Freddie Mac 4.00% 20461 11,458 12,080
Freddie Mac 4.50% 20461 1,306 1,394
Freddie Mac 4.00% 20471 8,368 8,799
Freddie Mac 4.00% 20471 3,019 3,109
Freddie Mac 4.00% 20481 67,711 70,334
Freddie Mac 4.00% 20481 61,960 64,685
Freddie Mac 4.00% 20481 25,347 26,332
Freddie Mac 5.00% 20481 2,652 2,844
Freddie Mac Pool #G18655 3.00% 20321 743 765
Freddie Mac Pool #SB0032 3.50% 20321 5,000 5,182
Freddie Mac Pool #ZS8710 3.00% 20331 155,160 159,281
Freddie Mac Pool #G18715 3.00% 20331 100,598 103,225
Freddie Mac Pool #ZS8715 3.00% 20331 7,929 8,130
Freddie Mac Pool #ZT0716 3.00% 20331 3,635 3,732
Freddie Mac Pool #SB8002 3.00% 20341 154,839 158,867
Freddie Mac Pool #G18719 3.00% 20341 54,036 55,469
Freddie Mac Pool #SB8000 3.00% 20341 19,795 20,310
Freddie Mac Pool #760012 2.949% 20451,2 2,305 2,335
Freddie Mac Pool #760013 2.956% 20451,2 2,114 2,143
Freddie Mac Pool #760014 3.469% 20451,2 14,391 14,768
Freddie Mac Pool #760015 3.237% 20471,2 3,866 3,912
Freddie Mac Pool #V84817 3.50% 20471 78 81
Freddie Mac Pool #V84872 3.50% 20481 467 484
Freddie Mac Pool #Q59000 4.00% 20481 38,342 40,029
Freddie Mac Pool #ZT1545 4.00% 20481 19,595 20,361
Freddie Mac Pool #V85471 3.50% 20491 12,061 12,472
Freddie Mac Pool #V85284 3.50% 20491 1,517 1,569
Freddie Mac, Series KS01, Class A2, Multi Family, 2.522% 20231 480 487
Freddie Mac Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2017-3, Class HA, 2.50% 20561 21,586 22,443
Freddie Mac Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2017-2, Class HA, 2.50% 20561 15,658 16,320
Freddie Mac Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2017-2, Class MA, 3.00% 20561 15,051 15,471
Freddie Mac Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2017-1, Class HA, 3.00% 20561,2 11,385 11,709
Freddie Mac Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2017-4, Class HT, 2.75% 20571,2 84,682 86,817
Freddie Mac Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2018-3, Class MA, 3.50% 20571 97,595 102,451
Freddie Mac Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2018-2, Class MT, 3.50% 20571 72,487 76,471
American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 4 of 10

Bonds, notes & other debt instruments (continued)
Mortgage-backed obligations (continued)
Federal agency mortgage-backed obligations (continued)
Principal amount
(000)
Value
(000)
Freddie Mac Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2017-4, Class MT, 3.50% 20571 $53,221 $56,056
Freddie Mac Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2018-4, Class MT, 3.50% 20571 2,625 2,769
Freddie Mac Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2019-2, Class MA, 3.50% 20581 8,025 8,486
Freddie Mac Seasoned Loan Structured Transaction Trust, Series 2018-2, Class A1,
3.50% 20281
88,401 93,254
Freddie Mac Seasoned Loan Structured Transaction Trust, Series 2018-1, Class A1, 3.50% 20281 16,400 17,207
Freddie Mac Seasoned Loan Structured Transaction Trust, Series 2019-1, Class A1,
3.50% 20291
123,677 129,581
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.00% 20321 766 806
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.00% 20321 584 614
Government National Mortgage Assn. 6.50% 20321 844 967
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.75% 20341 1,132 1,184
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.25% 20341 1,100 1,162
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.25% 20351 2,684 2,794
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.25% 20351 1,748 1,820
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.25% 20351 1,397 1,455
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.25% 20351 1,336 1,391
Government National Mortgage Assn. 5.00% 20351 448 471
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.75% 20371 411 432
Government National Mortgage Assn. 6.50% 20381 347 400
Government National Mortgage Assn. 6.50% 20381 55 59
Government National Mortgage Assn. 6.00% 20391 2,326 2,623
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.25% 20401 1,107 1,155
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.25% 20401 929 967
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.25% 20401 682 710
Government National Mortgage Assn. 5.00% 20401 171 180
Government National Mortgage Assn. 5.50% 20401 2,589 2,899
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.00% 20411 1,069 1,082
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.50% 20411 1,235 1,305
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.50% 20411 744 786
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.50% 20411 600 626
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.50% 20411 278 292
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.50% 20411 271 283
Government National Mortgage Assn. 5.00% 20411 2,631 2,778
Government National Mortgage Assn. 5.00% 20411 1,919 2,026
Government National Mortgage Assn. 5.00% 20411 763 807
Government National Mortgage Assn. 6.50% 20411 144 157
Government National Mortgage Assn. 2.75% 20421 534 547
Government National Mortgage Assn. 2.75% 20421 382 390
Government National Mortgage Assn. 2.75% 20421 380 389
Government National Mortgage Assn. 2.75% 20421 246 252
Government National Mortgage Assn. 2.75% 20421 246 251
Government National Mortgage Assn. 2.75% 20421 66 68
Government National Mortgage Assn. 2.75% 20421 58 59
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.50% 20421 649 689
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.00% 20421 631 668
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.00% 20421 618 655
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.00% 20421 471 495
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.50% 20421 1,532 1,618
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.50% 20431 887 934
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.50% 20431 822 865
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.00% 20431 915 942
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.75% 20441 1,606 1,694
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.25% 20441 765 820
American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 5 of 10

Bonds, notes & other debt instruments (continued)
Mortgage-backed obligations (continued)
Federal agency mortgage-backed obligations (continued)
Principal amount
(000)
Value
(000)
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.00% 20461 $4,546 $4,709
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.50% 20491,3 10,340 10,734
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.50% 20491,3 5,660 5,881
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.50% 20491 82,390 86,349
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.50% 20491 17,893 18,739
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.50% 20491,3 13,883 14,524
Government National Mortgage Assn. 5.00% 20491 34,036 35,861
Government National Mortgage Assn. 5.00% 20491 23,531 24,752
Government National Mortgage Assn. 5.00% 20491 20,212 21,261
Government National Mortgage Assn. 5.00% 20491,3 330 347
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.81% 20611 4 4
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #792276 3.50% 20421 543 574
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA5653 5.00% 20481 33,502 35,240
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA5332 5.00% 20481 389 411
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA5876 4.00% 20491 57,812 60,389
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA5986 4.00% 20491 45,923 48,009
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA5931 4.00% 20491 5,777 6,038
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA5987 4.50% 20491 145,967 153,710
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA6041 4.50% 20491 71,521 75,573
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA5932 4.50% 20491 37,745 39,713
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA5711 4.50% 20491 17,897 18,743
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA6092 4.50% 20491 16,366 17,308
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA6156 4.50% 20491 9,118 9,632
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA5877 4.50% 20491 910 954
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA5933 5.00% 20491 30,817 32,596
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA5988 5.00% 20491 7,269 7,689
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA5878 5.00% 20491 6,408 6,753
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA6042 5.00% 20491 440 466
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #773441 5.056% 20621 25 25
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #AG8235 5.325% 20641 2 3
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #AI2366 4.778% 20651 252 256
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #AQ8290 5.012% 20661 48 49
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #AQ8292 5.146% 20661 69 70
Government National Mortgage Assn., Series 2011-H02, Class BA, 4.45% 20611,2 21 21
Government National Mortgage Assn., Series 2016-H04, Class CI, interest only, 2.356% 20621,2 2,640 25
Government National Mortgage Assn., Series 2016-H13, Class IO, interest only, 0.731% 20661,2 85,084 1,846
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security 2.50% 20341,3 28,900 29,287
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security 3.00% 20341,3 12,085 12,393
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security 3.50% 20341,3 169,066 175,221
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security 3.50% 20491,3 41,333 42,486
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security 4.00% 20491,3 430,000 446,730
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security 4.00% 20491,3 8,828 9,164
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security 4.50% 20491,3 83,405 87,798
    4,246,736
Collateralized mortgage-backed obligations (privately originated) 1.67%    
Arroyo Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-1, Class A1, 3.763% 20481,2,4 3,722 3,812
Finance of America Structured Securities Trust, Series 2018-HB1, Class A, 3.375% 20281,2,4 17,071 17,130
Finance of America Structured Securities Trust, Series 2019-HB1, Class A, 3.279% 20691,2,4 22,377 22,485
Homeward Opportunities Fund Trust, Series 2018-1, 3.766% 20481,2,4 6,912 7,045
Mello Warehouse Securitization Trust, Series 2019-1, Class A, 2.945% 20521,2,4 6,710 6,721
Nationstar HECM Loan Trust, Series 2018-1A, Class A, 2.76% 20281,4 3,447 3,449
Nationstar HECM Loan Trust, Series 2018-2, Class A, 3.188% 20281,2,4 5,098 5,130
Nationstar HECM Loan Trust, Series 2018-3A, Class A, 3.555% 20281,2,4 5,645 5,673
American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 6 of 10

Bonds, notes & other debt instruments (continued)
Mortgage-backed obligations (continued)
Collateralized mortgage-backed obligations (privately originated) (continued)
Principal amount
(000)
Value
(000)
Nationstar HECM Loan Trust, Series 2019-1A, Class A, 2.651% 20291,2,4 $15,529 $15,587
Reverse Mortgage Investment Trust, Series 2018-1, Class A, 3.436% 20281,2,4 2,465 2,470
Station Place Securitization Trust, Series 2019-WL1, Class A,
(1-month USD-LIBOR + 0.65%) 2.891% 20211,2,4
10,245 10,272
Towd Point Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-5, Class A1, 2.745% 20571,2,4 1,875 1,872
Towd Point Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-2, Class 2A11, 3.00% 20571,2,4 7,485 7,534
    109,180
Total mortgage-backed obligations   4,355,916
U.S. Treasury bonds & notes 21.01%
U.S. Treasury 18.91%
   
U.S. Treasury 1.625% 2021 32,408 32,450
U.S. Treasury 1.75% 2021 5,000 5,029
U.S. Treasury 2.00% 2021 24,000 24,177
U.S. Treasury 2.00% 2021 12,000 12,141
U.S. Treasury 2.75% 2021 6,000 6,149
U.S. Treasury 1.75% 2022 133,000 134,032
U.S. Treasury 1.75% 2022 20,000 20,144
U.S. Treasury 1.875% 2022 52,000 52,715
U.S. Treasury 1.875% 2022 44,000 44,486
U.S. Treasury 1.875% 2022 28,000 28,298
U.S. Treasury 2.00% 2022 25,500 25,963
U.S. Treasury 2.125% 2022 157,000 159,790
U.S. Treasury 2.125% 20225 111,000 113,544
U.S. Treasury 1.625% 2023 35,321 35,589
U.S. Treasury 1.625% 2023 5,000 5,037
U.S. Treasury 2.50% 2023 24,679 25,710
U.S. Treasury 2.625% 2023 20,000 20,899
U.S. Treasury 2.75% 2023 90,000 94,236
U.S. Treasury 2.75% 2023 5,000 5,251
U.S. Treasury 2.875% 2023 90,000 95,187
U.S. Treasury 2.875% 2023 40,500 42,877
U.S. Treasury 2.125% 2024 10,000 10,348
U.S. Treasury 2.125% 2024 8,847 9,126
U.S. Treasury 2.375% 2024 9,628 10,034
U.S. Treasury 2.50% 20245 28,000 29,387
U.S. Treasury 2.00% 2025 90,000 92,757
U.S. Treasury 2.875% 2028 4,300 4,797
U.S. Treasury 2.375% 2029 6,529 7,043
U.S. Treasury 2.875% 20465 21,000 25,087
U.S. Treasury 3.00% 20485 15,000 18,397
U.S. Treasury 3.125% 2048 8,948 11,235
U.S. Treasury 3.375% 2048 1,368 1,801
U.S. Treasury 2.25% 2049 34,500 36,732
    1,240,448
U.S. Treasury inflation-protected securities 2.10%    
U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Security 0.625% 20236 97,964 99,475
U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Security 2.125% 20416 561 779
U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Security 0.75% 20425,6 34,364 37,625
    137,879
Total U.S. Treasury bonds & notes   1,378,327
American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 7 of 10

Bonds, notes & other debt instruments (continued)
Asset-backed obligations 1.72%
Principal amount
(000)
Value
(000)
AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2018-1, Class A2A, 2.71% 20211 $2,482 $2,484
Angel Oak Capital Advisors LLC, CLO, Series 2013-9A, Class A1R,
(3-month USD-LIBOR + 1.01%) 3.288% 20251,2,4
338 338
Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust, Series 2016-A1, Class A1, 1.75% 20211 3,550 3,547
CPS Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2018-B, Class A, 2.72% 20211,4 1,900 1,900
Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2017-3, Class C, 2.80% 20221 2,754 2,757
Drivetime Auto Owner Trust, Series 2018-2, Class A, 2.84% 20211,4 3,579 3,582
Drivetime Auto Owner Trust, Series 2019-3, Class A, 2.55% 20221,4 9,255 9,271
Exeter Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2017-3A, Class A, 2.05% 20211,4 998 998
Exeter Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2018-2A, Class A, 2.79% 20211,4 1,040 1,040
Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust, Series 2014, Class A, 2.31% 20261,4 4,595 4,595
Palmer Square Loan Funding, CLO, Series 2019-2, Class A1,
(3-month USD-LIBOR + 0.97%) 3.551% 20271,2,4
5,285 5,289
Progress Residential Trust 2.271% 20361,4 60,000 60,453
Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2018-4, Class A2A, 3.07% 20211 117 117
SLM Private Credit Student Loan Trust, Series 2010-1, Class A,
(1-month USD-LIBOR + 0.40%) 2.545% 20251,2
136 132
Symphony Ltd., CLO, Series 2013-12A, Class AR, (3-month USD-LIBOR + 1.03%) 3.333% 20251,2,4 2,163 2,166
Toyota Auto Receivables Owner Trust, Series 2018-B, Class A2A, 2.64% 20211 6,938 6,948
Westlake Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2018-2A, Class A2A, 2.84% 20211,4 5,697 5,703
Westlake Automobile Receivables Trust, Series 2017-1A, Class C, 2.70% 20221,4 1,577 1,579
    112,899
Total bonds, notes & other debt instruments (cost: $5,728,805,000)   5,847,142
Short-term securities 23.63%    
Fannie Mae 1.99%-2.00% due 9/23/2019-10/1/2019 165,000 164,767
Federal Home Loan Bank 1.86%-2.34% due 9/3/2019-11/15/2019 1,332,850 1,330,821
Société Générale 2.10% due 9/3/20194 54,500 54,487
Total short-term securities (cost: $1,549,991,000)   1,550,075
Total investment securities 112.77% (cost: $7,278,796,000)   7,397,217
Other assets less liabilities (12.77)%   (837,935)
Net assets 100.00%   $6,559,282
Futures contracts

Contracts Type Number of
contracts
Expiration Notional
amount7
(000)
Value at
8/31/20198
(000)
Unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
at 8/31/2019
(000)
2 Year U.S. Treasury Note Futures Long 10,085 January 2020 $2,017,000 $2,179,542 $942
5 Year U.S. Treasury Note Futures Long 10,758 January 2020 1,075,800 1,290,708 2,615
10 Year U.S. Treasury Note Futures Long 2,316 December 2019 231,600 305,061 (203)
10 Year Ultra U.S. Treasury Note Futures Short 2,817 December 2019 (281,700) (406,881) (976)
20 Year U.S. Treasury Bond Futures Long 988 December 2019 98,800 163,267 (1,389)
30 Year Ultra U.S. Treasury Bond Futures Long 106 December 2019 10,600 20,928 164
            $1,153
American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 8 of 10

Swap contracts

Interest rate swaps
Receive Pay Expiration
date
Notional
(000)
Value at
8/31/2019
(000)
Upfront
payments/
receipts
(000)
Unrealized
(depreciation)
appreciation
at 8/31/2019
(000)
3-month USD-LIBOR 2.806% 8/29/2020 $80,500 $(807) $$(807)
2.3755% U.S. EFFR 2/6/2021 355,000 5,035 5,035
2.37% U.S. EFFR 3/8/2021 243,000 3,691 3,691
2.284% U.S. EFFR 3/19/2021 140,000 2,003 2,003
3-month USD-LIBOR 2.348% 4/1/2021 786,000 (9,049) (9,049)
2.197% U.S. EFFR 4/15/2021 395,000 5,511 5,511
3-month USD-LIBOR 1.217% 9/22/2021 70,000 409 409
3-month USD-LIBOR 1.225% 9/22/2021 70,000 397 397
3-month USD-LIBOR 1.2796% 10/11/2021 100,000 459 459
3-month USD-LIBOR 1.785% 3/27/2022 35,000 (310) (310)
2.009% 3-month USD-LIBOR 10/4/2022 102,000 1,898 1,898
2.1045% 3-month USD-LIBOR 10/31/2022 125,000 2,770 2,770
3-month USD-LIBOR 2.2835% 1/5/2023 228,000 (6,732) (6,732)
2.21875% U.S. EFFR 3/14/2024 155,000 7,965 7,965
3-month USD-LIBOR 2.322% 5/2/2024 181,900 (8,154) (8,154)
3-month USD-LIBOR 2.325% 5/2/2024 418,100 (18,799) (18,799)
3-month USD-LIBOR 2.05% 7/18/2029 118,000 (7,249) (7,249)
3-month USD-LIBOR 3.238% 8/8/2044 6,000 (2,166) (2,166)
3-month USD-LIBOR 2.4945% 1/9/2045 7,000 (1,431) (1,431)
3-month USD-LIBOR 2.454% 1/15/2045 7,000 (1,371) (1,371)
3-month USD-LIBOR 2.525% 10/20/2045 10,000 (2,162) (2,162)
3-month USD-LIBOR 2.516% 10/20/2045 15,000 (3,213) (3,213)
3-month USD-LIBOR 2.5315% 10/26/2045 16,000 (3,483) (3,483)
3-month USD-LIBOR 2.57067% 11/9/2045 6,600 (1,497) (1,497)
3-month USD-LIBOR 2.6485% 11/16/2045 6,525 (1,594) (1,594)
3-month USD-LIBOR 2.52822% 11/23/2045 13,350 (2,905) (2,905)
3-month USD-LIBOR 2.59125% 12/16/2045 13,500 (3,133) (3,133)
3-month USD-LIBOR 2.4095% 1/14/2046 10,000 (1,918) (1,918)
3-month USD-LIBOR 1.9905% 6/13/2046 4,000 (396) (396)
3-month USD-LIBOR 1.991% 6/13/2046 6,000 (595) (595)
3-month USD-LIBOR 1.7985% 6/30/2046 12,000 (668) (668)
U.S. EFFR 2.5635% 2/12/2048 45,279 (13,820) (13,820)
2.98% 3-month USD-LIBOR 3/15/2048 2,800 953 953
2.9625% 3-month USD-LIBOR 3/15/2048 2,800 942 942
U.S. EFFR 2.4615% 3/15/2048 2,800 (788) (788)
U.S. EFFR 2.485% 3/15/2048 2,800 (804) (804)
2.917% 3-month USD-LIBOR 3/16/2048 5,600 1,823 1,823
U.S. EFFR 2.425% 3/16/2048 5,600 (1,526) (1,526)
          $— $(60,714)
1 Principal payments may be made periodically. Therefore, the effective maturity date may be earlier than the stated maturity date.
2 Coupon rate may change periodically.
3 Purchased on a TBA basis.
4 Acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. May be resold in the U.S. in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The total value of all such securities was $260,581,000, which represented 3.97% of the net assets of the fund.
5 All or a portion of this security was pledged as collateral. The total value of pledged collateral was $58,022,000, which represented .88% of the net assets of the fund.
6 Index-linked bond whose principal amount moves with a government price index.
7 Notional amount is calculated based on the number of contracts and notional contract size.
8 Value is calculated based on the notional amount and current market price.
American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 9 of 10

Key to abbreviations and symbol  
CLO = Collateralized Loan Obligations  
EFFR = Effective Federal Funds Rate  
LIBOR = London Interbank Offered Rate  
TBA = To-be-announced  
USD/$ = U.S. dollars  
Additional financial disclosures are included in the fund’s current shareholder report and should be read in conjunction with this report.
Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value.
Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other important information is contained in the fund prospectus and summary prospectus, which can be obtained from your financial professional and should be read carefully before investing. You may also call American Funds Service Company (AFS) at (800) 421-4225 or visit the Capital Group website at capitalgroup.com.
All Capital Group trademarks mentioned are owned by The Capital Group Companies, Inc., an affiliated company or fund. All other company and product names mentioned are the property of their respective companies.
American Funds Distributors, Inc., member FINRA.
© 2019 Capital Group. All rights reserved.
MFGEFPX-042-1019O-S73078 American Funds Mortgage Fund — Page 10 of 10

 

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of American Funds Mortgage Fund

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the summary investment portfolio, of American Funds Mortgage Fund (the “Fund”) as of August 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year ended August 31, 2019, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2019, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein (included in Item 1 of this Form N-CSR) and the investment portfolio (included in Item 6 of this Form N-CSR) as of August 31, 2019 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of August 31, 2019, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2019 and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2019 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Los Angeles, California

October 16, 2019

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in The Capital Group Companies Investment Company Complex since 1934.

 

 

Summary investment portfolio August 31, 2019

 

Portfolio by type of security Percent of net assets

 

 

Portfolio quality summary* Percent of
net assets
U.S. Treasury and agency     21.01 %
AAA/Aaa     68.00  
AA/Aa     .13  
Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities     10.86  
* Bond ratings, which typically range from AAA/Aaa (highest) to D (lowest), are assigned by credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and/or Fitch as an indication of an issuer’s creditworthiness. In assigning a credit rating to a security, the fund looks specifically to the ratings assigned to the issuer of the security by Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and/or Fitch. If agency ratings differ, the security will be considered to have received the highest of those ratings, consistent with the fund’s investment policies. The ratings are not covered by the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
These securities are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

 

Bonds, notes & other debt instruments 89.14% Principal amount
(000)
    Value
(000)
 
Mortgage-backed obligations 66.41%            
Federal agency mortgage-backed obligations 64.74%            
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3490 4.00% 20331   $ 111,476     $ 116,839  
Fannie Mae Pool #AS9454 4.00% 20471     59,464       62,607  
Fannie Mae Pool #CA0133 4.00% 20471     44,165       46,449  
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3384 4.00% 20481     80,859       84,009  
Fannie Mae Pool #CA1907 4.50% 20481     180,164       191,078  
Fannie Mae Pool #CA1709 4.50% 20481     90,696       96,217  
Fannie Mae Pool #CA1563 4.50% 20481     36,702       39,014  
Fannie Mae Pool #CA2055 4.50% 20481     34,262       36,337  
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3775 3.50% 20491     42,585       43,875  
Fannie Mae Pool #MA3692 3.50% 20491     39,036       40,212  
Fannie Mae 2.28%–5.00% 2020–20571,2     438,405       457,105  
Freddie Mac 4.00% 20481     67,711       70,334  
Freddie Mac 4.00% 20481     61,960       64,685  
Freddie Mac Pool #ZS8710 3.00% 20331     155,160       159,281  
Freddie Mac Pool #G18715 3.00% 20331     100,598       103,225  
Freddie Mac Pool #SB8002 3.00% 20341     154,839       158,867  
Freddie Mac Pool #G18719 3.00% 20341     54,036       55,469  
Freddie Mac Pool #Q59000 4.00% 20481     38,342       40,029  
Freddie Mac 2.52%–6.00% 2023–20491,2     150,749       156,169  
Freddie Mac Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2017-4, Class HT, 2.75% 20571,2     84,682       86,817  
Freddie Mac Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2018-3, Class MA, 3.50% 20571     97,595       102,451  
Freddie Mac Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2018-2, Class MT, 3.50% 20571     72,487       76,471  
Freddie Mac Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2017-4, Class MT, 3.50% 20571     53,221       56,056  
Freddie Mac Seasoned Loan Structured Transaction Trust, Series 2018-2, Class A1, 3.50% 20281     88,401       93,254  
Freddie Mac Seasoned Loan Structured Transaction Trust, Series 2019-1, Class A1, 3.50% 20291     123,677       129,581  
Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.50% 20491     82,390       86,349  
Government National Mortgage Assn. 5.00% 20491     34,036       35,861  
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA5876 4.00% 20491     57,812       60,389  
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA5986 4.00% 20491     45,923       48,009  
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA5987 4.50% 20491     145,967       153,710  
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA6041 4.50% 20491     71,521       75,573  
Government National Mortgage Assn. Pool #MA5932 4.50% 20491     37,745       39,713  

 

4 American Funds Mortgage Fund
 
  Principal amount
(000)
    Value
(000)
 
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.25%–6.50% 2032–20661,3   $ 264,245     $ 278,106  
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security 3.50% 20341,3     169,066       175,221  
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security 3.50% 20491,3     41,333       42,486  
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security 4.00% 20491,3     430,000       446,730  
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security 4.50% 20491,3     83,405       87,798  
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities 2.50%–4.00% 2034–20491,3     49,813       50,844  
Other securities             99,516  
              4,246,736  
                 
Collateralized mortgage-backed obligations (privately originated) 1.67%                
Other securities             109,180  
                 
Total mortgage-backed obligations             4,355,916  
                 
U.S. Treasury bonds & notes 21.01%                
U.S. Treasury 18.91%                
U.S. Treasury 1.75% 2022     133,000       134,032  
U.S. Treasury 1.875% 2022     52,000       52,715  
U.S. Treasury 1.875% 2022     44,000       44,486  
U.S. Treasury 2.125% 2022     157,000       159,790  
U.S. Treasury 2.125% 20224     111,000       113,544  
U.S. Treasury 2.75% 2023     90,000       94,236  
U.S. Treasury 2.875% 2023     90,000       95,187  
U.S. Treasury 2.875% 2023     40,500       42,877  
U.S. Treasury 2.00% 2025     90,000       92,757  
U.S. Treasury 2.25% 2049     34,500       36,732  
U.S. Treasury 1.63%–3.38% 2021–20484     356,528       374,092  
              1,240,448  
                 
U.S. Treasury inflation-protected securities 2.10%                
U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Security 0.625% 20235     97,964       99,475  
U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Security 2.125% 20415     561       779  
U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Security 0.75% 20424,5     34,364       37,625  
              137,879  
                 
Total U.S. Treasury bonds & notes             1,378,327  
                 
Asset-backed obligations 1.72%                
Progress Residential Trust 2.271% 20361,6     60,000       60,453  
Other securities             52,446  
              112,899  
                 
Total bonds, notes & other debt instruments (cost: $5,728,805,000)             5,847,142  
                 
Short-term securities 23.63%                
Fannie Mae 1.99%–2.00% due 9/23/2019–10/1/2019     165,000       164,767  
Federal Home Loan Bank 1.86%–2.34% due 9/3/2019–11/15/2019     1,332,850       1,330,821  
Société Générale 2.10% due 9/3/20196     54,500       54,487  
                 
Total short-term securities (cost: $1,549,991,000)             1,550,075  
Total investment securities 112.77% (cost: $7,278,796,000)             7,397,217  
Other assets less liabilities (12.77%)             (837,935 )
                 
Net assets 100.00%           $ 6,559,282  

 

This summary investment portfolio is designed to streamline the report and help investors better focus on the fund’s principal holdings. See the inside back cover for details on how to obtain a complete schedule of portfolio holdings.

 

“Other securities” includes all issues that are not disclosed separately in the summary investment portfolio.

 

American Funds Mortgage Fund 5
 

Futures contracts

 

Contracts   Type   Number of
contracts
    Expiration   Notional
amount7
(000)
  Value at
8/31/20198
(000)
  Unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
at 8/31/2019
(000)
 
2 Year U.S. Treasury Note Futures   Long     10,085     January 2020   $ 2,017,000     $ 2,179,542     $ 942  
5 Year U.S. Treasury Note Futures   Long     10,758     January 2020     1,075,800       1,290,708       2,615  
10 Year U.S. Treasury Note Futures   Long     2,316     December 2019     231,600       305,061       (203 )
10 Year Ultra U.S. Treasury Note Futures   Short     2,817     December 2019     (281,700 )     (406,881 )     (976 )
20 Year U.S. Treasury Bond Futures   Long     988     December 2019     98,800       163,267       (1,389 )
30 Year Ultra U.S. Treasury Bond Futures   Long     106     December 2019     10,600       20,928       164  
                                    $ 1,153  

 

Swap contracts

 

Interest rate swaps

 

Receive   Pay   Expiration
date
  Notional
(000)
    Value at
8/31/2019
(000)
  Upfront
payments/
receipts
(000)
  Unrealized
(depreciation)
appreciation
at 8/31/2019
(000)
 
3-month USD-LIBOR   2.806%   8/29/2020   $ 80,500     $ (807 )   $     $ (807 )
2.3755%   U.S. EFFR   2/6/2021     355,000       5,035             5,035  
2.37%   U.S. EFFR   3/8/2021     243,000       3,691             3,691  
2.284%   U.S. EFFR   3/19/2021     140,000       2,003             2,003  
3-month USD-LIBOR   2.348%   4/1/2021     786,000       (9,049 )           (9,049 )
2.197%   U.S. EFFR   4/15/2021     395,000       5,511             5,511  
3-month USD-LIBOR   1.217%   9/22/2021     70,000       409             409  
3-month USD-LIBOR   1.225%   9/22/2021     70,000       397             397  
3-month USD-LIBOR   1.2796%   10/11/2021     100,000       459             459  
3-month USD-LIBOR   1.785%   3/27/2022     35,000       (310 )           (310 )
2.009%   3-month USD-LIBOR   10/4/2022     102,000       1,898             1,898  
2.1045%   3-month USD-LIBOR   10/31/2022     125,000       2,770             2,770  
3-month USD-LIBOR   2.2835%   1/5/2023     228,000       (6,732 )           (6,732 )
2.21875%   U.S. EFFR   3/14/2024     155,000       7,965             7,965  
3-month USD-LIBOR   2.322%   5/2/2024     181,900       (8,154 )           (8,154 )
3-month USD-LIBOR   2.325%   5/2/2024     418,100       (18,799 )           (18,799 )
3-month USD-LIBOR   2.05%   7/18/2029     118,000       (7,249 )           (7,249 )
3-month USD-LIBOR   3.238%   8/8/2044     6,000       (2,166 )           (2,166 )
3-month USD-LIBOR   2.4945%   1/9/2045     7,000       (1,431 )           (1,431 )
3-month USD-LIBOR   2.454%   1/15/2045     7,000       (1,371 )           (1,371 )
3-month USD-LIBOR   2.525%   10/20/2045     10,000       (2,162 )           (2,162 )
3-month USD-LIBOR   2.516%   10/20/2045     15,000       (3,213 )           (3,213 )
3-month USD-LIBOR   2.5315%   10/26/2045     16,000       (3,483 )           (3,483 )
3-month USD-LIBOR   2.57067%   11/9/2045     6,600       (1,497 )           (1,497 )
3-month USD-LIBOR   2.6485%   11/16/2045     6,525       (1,594 )           (1,594 )
3-month USD-LIBOR   2.52822%   11/23/2045     13,350       (2,905 )           (2,905 )
3-month USD-LIBOR   2.59125%   12/16/2045     13,500       (3,133 )           (3,133 )
3-month USD-LIBOR   2.4095%   1/14/2046     10,000       (1,918 )           (1,918 )
3-month USD-LIBOR   1.9905%   6/13/2046     4,000       (396 )           (396 )
3-month USD-LIBOR   1.991%   6/13/2046     6,000       (595 )           (595 )
3-month USD-LIBOR   1.7985%   6/30/2046     12,000       (668 )           (668 )
U.S. EFFR   2.5635%   2/12/2048     45,279       (13,820 )           (13,820 )
2.98%   3-month USD-LIBOR   3/15/2048     2,800       953             953  
2.9625%   3-month USD-LIBOR   3/15/2048     2,800       942             942  
U.S. EFFR   2.4615%   3/15/2048     2,800       (788 )           (788 )
U.S. EFFR   2.485%   3/15/2048     2,800       (804 )           (804 )
2.917%   3-month USD-LIBOR   3/16/2048     5,600       1,823             1,823  
U.S. EFFR   2.425%   3/16/2048     5,600       (1,526 )           (1,526 )
                            $     $ (60,714 )

 

6 American Funds Mortgage Fund
 

The following footnotes apply to either the individual securities noted or one or more of the securities aggregated and listed as a single line item.

 

1 Principal payments may be made periodically. Therefore, the effective maturity date may be earlier than the stated maturity date.
2 Coupon rate may change periodically.
3 Purchased on a TBA basis.
4 All or a portion of this security was pledged as collateral. The total value of pledged collateral was $58,022,000, which represented .88% of the net assets of the fund.
5 Index-linked bond whose principal amount moves with a government price index.
6 Acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. May be resold in the U.S. in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The total value of all such securities, including those in “Other securities,” was $260,581,000, which represented 3.97% of the net assets of the fund.
7 Notional amount is calculated based on the number of contracts and notional contract size.
8 Value is calculated based on the notional amount and current market price.

 

Key to abbreviations and symbol

EFFR = Effective Federal Funds Rate

LIBOR = London Interbank Offered Rate

TBA = To-be-announced

USD/$ = U.S. dollars

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

American Funds Mortgage Fund 7
 

Financial statements

 

Statement of assets and liabilities
at August 31, 2019
(dollars in thousands)
             
Assets:                
Investment securities in unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost: $7,278,796)           $ 7,397,217  
Cash             2,125  
Receivables for:                
Sales of investments   $ 313,685          
Sales of fund’s shares     3,037          
Interest     19,592          
Variation margin on futures contracts     2,194          
Variation margin on swap contracts     1,025       339,533  
              7,738,875  
Liabilities:                
Payables for:                
Purchases of investments     1,173,198          
Repurchases of fund’s shares     1,831          
Dividends on fund’s shares     11          
Investment advisory services     1,264          
Services provided by related parties     281          
Trustees’ deferred compensation     31          
Variation margin on futures contracts     352          
Variation margin on swap contracts     2,619          
Other     6       1,179,593  
Net assets at August 31, 2019           $ 6,559,282  
                 
Net assets consist of:                
Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest           $ 6,468,927  
Total distributable earnings             90,355  
Net assets at August 31, 2019           $ 6,559,282  

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8 American Funds Mortgage Fund
 

(dollars and shares in thousands, except per-share amounts)

 

Shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding (no stated par value) —
unlimited shares authorized (642,332 total shares outstanding)

 

    Net assets     Shares
outstanding
    Net asset value
per share
 
Class A   $ 197,896       19,380     $ 10.21  
Class C     16,029       1,576       10.17  
Class T     10       1       10.21  
Class F-1     18,384       1,800       10.21  
Class F-2     121,913       11,934       10.22  
Class F-3     17,768       1,739       10.22  
Class 529-A     23,721       2,324       10.21  
Class 529-C     4,055       399       10.16  
Class 529-E     1,522       149       10.21  
Class 529-T     11       1       10.21  
Class 529-F-1     8,021       785       10.21  
Class R-1     3,948       388       10.18  
Class R-2     3,473       342       10.16  
Class R-2E     156       15       10.20  
Class R-3     40,727       3,993       10.20  
Class R-4     4,798       470       10.21  
Class R-5E     262       26       10.21  
Class R-5     1,082       106       10.21  
Class R-6     6,095,506       596,904       10.21  

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

American Funds Mortgage Fund 9
 
Statement of operations
for the year ended August 31, 2019
  (dollars in thousands)
             
Investment income:                
Income:                
Interest           $ 153,173  
Fees and expenses*:                
Investment advisory services   $ 13,297          
Distribution services     1,036          
Transfer agent services     638          
Administrative services     2,527          
Reports to shareholders     77          
Registration statement and prospectus     404          
Trustees’ compensation     36          
Auditing and legal     84          
Custodian     20          
Other     57          
Total fees and expenses before reimbursements     18,176          
Less transfer agent services reimbursements            
Total fees and expenses after reimbursements             18,176  
Net investment income             134,997  
                 
Net realized gain and unrealized appreciation:                
Net realized gain on:                
Investments in unaffiliated issuers     35,501          
Futures contracts     113,626          
Swap contracts     14,316       163,443  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                
Investments in unaffiliated issuers     151,433          
Futures contracts     553          
Swap contracts     (83,905 )     68,081  
Net realized gain and unrealized appreciation             231,524  
                 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations           $ 366,521  

 

* Additional information related to class-specific fees and expenses is included in the notes to financial statements.
Amount less than one thousand.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

10 American Funds Mortgage Fund
 
Statements of changes in net assets   (dollars in thousands)
             
    Year ended August 31,  
    2019     2018  
Operations:                
Net investment income   $ 134,997     $ 76,355  
Net realized gain (loss)     163,443       (113,038 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     68,081       (21,022 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     366,521       (57,705 )
                 
Distributions paid or accrued to shareholders     (144,716 )     (90,710 )*
                 
Net capital share transactions     1,451,181       1,426,484  
                 
Total increase in net assets     1,672,986       1,278,069  
                 
Net assets:                
Beginning of year     4,886,296       3,608,227  
End of year   $ 6,559,282     $ 4,886,296  

 

* Prior year comparative amounts have been adjusted to reflect current presentation under new accounting standards. Prior year distributions were $80,339 from net investment income and $10,371 from net realized gain on investments.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

American Funds Mortgage Fund 11
 

Notes to financial statements

 

1. Organization

 

American Funds Mortgage Fund (the “fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end, diversified management investment company. The fund seeks to provide current income and preservation of capital.

 

The fund has 19 share classes consisting of six retail share classes (Classes A, C, T, F-1, F-2 and F-3), five 529 college savings plan share classes (Classes 529-A, 529-C, 529-E, 529-T and 529-F-1) and eight retirement plan share classes (Classes R-1, R-2, R-2E, R-3, R-4, R-5E, R-5 and R-6). The 529 college savings plan share classes can be used to save for college education. The retirement plan share classes are generally offered only through eligible employer-sponsored retirement plans. The fund’s share classes are described further in the following table:

 

Share class   Initial sales charge   Contingent deferred sales
charge upon redemption
  Conversion feature  
Classes A and 529-A   Up to 3.75%   None (except 1% for certain redemptions within 18 months of purchase without an initial sales charge)   None  
Class C   None   1% for redemptions within one year of purchase   Class C converts to Class F-1 after 10 years  
Class 529-C   None   1% for redemptions within one year of purchase   Class 529-C converts to Class 529-A after 10 years  
Class 529-E   None   None   None  
Classes T and 529-T*   Up to 2.50%   None   None  
Classes F-1, F-2, F-3 and 529-F-1   None   None   None  
Classes R-1, R-2, R-2E, R-3, R-4, R-5E, R-5 and R-6   None   None   None  
* Class T and 529-T shares are not available for purchase.

 

Holders of all share classes have equal pro rata rights to the assets, dividends and liquidation proceeds of the fund. Each share class has identical voting rights, except for the exclusive right to vote on matters affecting only its class. Share classes have different fees and expenses (“class-specific fees and expenses”), primarily due to different arrangements for distribution, transfer agent and administrative services. Differences in class-specific fees and expenses will result in differences in net investment income and, therefore, the payment of different per-share dividends by each share class.

 

2. Significant accounting policies

 

The fund is an investment company that applies the accounting and reporting guidance issued in Topic 946 by the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board. The fund’s financial statements have been prepared to comply with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). These principles require the fund’s investment adviser to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Subsequent events, if any, have been evaluated through the date of issuance in the preparation of the financial statements. The fund follows the significant accounting policies described in this section, as well as the valuation policies described in the next section on valuation.

 

Security transactions and related investment income — Security transactions are recorded by the fund as of the date the trades are executed with brokers. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are determined based on the specific identified cost of the securities. In the event a security is purchased with a delayed payment date, the fund will segregate liquid assets sufficient to meet its payment obligations. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Market discounts, premiums and original issue discounts on fixed-income securities are amortized daily over the expected life of the security.

 

Class allocations — Income, fees and expenses (other than class-specific fees and expenses) are allocated daily among the various share classes based on the relative value of their settled shares. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated daily among the various share classes based on their relative net assets. Class-specific fees and expenses, such as distribution, transfer agent and administrative services, are charged directly to the respective share class.

 

Distributions paid or accrued to shareholders — Income dividends are declared daily after the determination of the fund’s net investment income and are paid to shareholders monthly. Capital gain distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

12 American Funds Mortgage Fund
 

3. Valuation

 

Capital Research and Management Company (“CRMC”), the fund’s investment adviser, values the fund’s investments at fair value as defined by U.S. GAAP. The net asset value of each share class of the fund is generally determined as of approximately 4:00 p.m. New York time each day the New York Stock Exchange is open.

 

Methods and inputs — The fund’s investment adviser uses the following methods and inputs to establish the fair value of the fund’s assets and liabilities. Use of particular methods and inputs may vary over time based on availability and relevance as market and economic conditions evolve.

 

Fixed-income securities, including short-term securities, are generally valued at prices obtained from one or more pricing vendors. Vendors value such securities based on one or more of the inputs described in the following table. The table provides examples of inputs that are commonly relevant for valuing particular classes of fixed-income securities in which the fund is authorized to invest. However, these classifications are not exclusive, and any of the inputs may be used to value any other class of fixed-income security.

 

Fixed-income class   Examples of standard inputs
All   Benchmark yields, transactions, bids, offers, quotations from dealers and trading systems, new issues, spreads and other relationships observed in the markets among comparable securities; and proprietary pricing models such as yield measures calculated using factors such as cash flows, financial or collateral performance and other reference data (collectively referred to as “standard inputs”)
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies   Standard inputs and interest rate volatilities
Mortgage-backed; asset-backed obligations   Standard inputs and cash flows, prepayment information, default rates, delinquency and loss assumptions, collateral characteristics, credit enhancements and specific deal information
Municipal securities   Standard inputs and, for certain distressed securities, cash flows or liquidation values using a net present value calculation based on inputs that include, but are not limited to, financial statements and debt contracts

 

When the fund’s investment adviser deems it appropriate to do so (such as when vendor prices are unavailable or deemed to be not representative), fixed-income securities will be valued in good faith at the mean quoted bid and ask prices that are reasonably and timely available (or bid prices, if ask prices are not available) or at prices for securities of comparable maturity, quality and type.

 

Exchange-traded futures are generally valued at the official settlement price of the exchange or market on which such instruments are traded, as of the close of business on the day the futures are being valued. Interest rate swaps are generally valued by pricing vendors based on market inputs that include the index and term of index, reset frequency, payer/receiver, currency and pay frequency.

 

Securities and other assets for which representative market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable by the fund’s investment adviser are fair valued as determined in good faith under fair valuation guidelines adopted by authority of the fund’s board of trustees as further described. The investment adviser follows fair valuation guidelines, consistent with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules and guidance, to consider relevant principles and factors when making fair value determinations. The investment adviser considers relevant indications of value that are reasonably and timely available to it in determining the fair value to be assigned to a particular security, such as the type and cost of the security; contractual or legal restrictions on resale of the security; relevant financial or business developments of the issuer; actively traded similar or related securities; conversion or exchange rights on the security; related corporate actions; significant events occurring after the close of trading in the security; and changes in overall market conditions. In addition, the closing prices of equity securities that trade in markets outside U.S. time zones may be adjusted to reflect significant events that occur after the close of local trading but before the net asset value of each share class of the fund is determined. Fair valuations and valuations of investments that are not actively trading involve judgment and may differ materially from valuations that would have been used had greater market activity occurred.

 

Processes and structure — The fund’s board of trustees has delegated authority to the fund’s investment adviser to make fair value determinations, subject to board oversight. The investment adviser has established a Joint Fair Valuation Committee (the “Fair Valuation Committee”) to administer, implement and oversee the fair valuation process, and to make fair value decisions. The Fair Valuation Committee regularly reviews its own fair value decisions, as well as decisions made under its standing instructions to the investment adviser’s valuation teams. The Fair Valuation Committee reviews changes in fair value measurements from period to period and may, as deemed appropriate, update the fair valuation guidelines to better reflect the results of back testing and address new or evolving issues.

 

American Funds Mortgage Fund 13
 

The Fair Valuation Committee reports any changes to the fair valuation guidelines to the board of trustees. The fund’s board and audit committee also regularly review reports that describe fair value determinations and methods.

 

The fund’s investment adviser has also established a Fixed-Income Pricing Review Group to administer and oversee the fixed-income valuation process, including the use of fixed-income pricing vendors. This group regularly reviews pricing vendor information and market data. Pricing decisions, processes and controls over security valuation are also subject to additional internal reviews, including an annual control self-evaluation program facilitated by the investment adviser’s compliance group.

 

Classifications — The fund’s investment adviser classifies the fund’s assets and liabilities into three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities. Level 1 values are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 values are based on significant observable market inputs, such as quoted prices for similar securities and quoted prices in inactive markets. Certain securities trading outside the U.S. may transfer between Level 1 and Level 2 due to valuation adjustments resulting from significant market movements following the close of local trading. Level 3 values are based on significant unobservable inputs that reflect the investment adviser’s determination of assumptions that market participants might reasonably use in valuing the securities. The valuation levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with the underlying investment. For example, U.S. government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market. The following tables present the fund’s valuation levels as of August 31, 2019 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

    Investment securities  
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Assets:                                
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments:                                
Mortgage-backed obligations   $     $ 4,355,916     $     $ 4,355,916  
U.S. Treasury bonds & notes           1,378,327             1,378,327  
Asset-backed obligations           112,899             112,899  
Short-term securities           1,550,075             1,550,075  
Total   $     $ 7,397,217     $     $ 7,397,217  
       
    Other investments*  
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Assets:                                
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts   $ 3,721     $     $     $ 3,721  
Unrealized appreciation on interest rate swaps           33,856             33,856  
Liabilities:                                
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts     (2,568 )                 (2,568 )
Unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps           (94,570 )           (94,570 )
Total   $ 1,153     $ (60,714 )   $     $ (59,561 )

 

* Futures contracts and interest rate swaps are not included in the investment portfolio.

 

4. Risk factors

 

Investing in the fund may involve certain risks including, but not limited to, those described below.

 

Investing in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities — Mortgage-related securities, such as mortgage-backed securities, and other asset-backed securities, include debt obligations that represent interests in pools of mortgages or other income-bearing assets, such as consumer loans or receivables. Such securities often involve risks that are different from or more acute than the risks associated with investing in other types of debt securities. Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are subject to changes in the payment patterns of borrowers of the underlying debt, potentially increasing the volatility of the securities and the fund’s net asset value. When interest rates fall, borrowers are more likely to refinance or prepay their debt before its stated maturity. This may result in the fund having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities, effectively reducing the fund’s income. Conversely, if interest rates rise and borrowers repay their debt more slowly than expected, the time in which the mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are paid off could be extended, reducing the fund’s cash available for reinvestment in higher yielding securities. Mortgage-backed securities are also subject to the risk that underlying borrowers will be unable to meet their obligations and the value of property that secures the mortgages may decline in value and be insufficient, upon foreclosure, to repay the associated loans. Investments in asset-backed securities are subject to similar risks.

 

14 American Funds Mortgage Fund
 

Market conditions — The prices of, and the income generated by, the securities held by the fund may decline – sometimes rapidly or unpredictably – due to various factors, including events or conditions affecting the general economy or particular industries; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; governmental, governmental agency or central bank responses to economic conditions; and currency exchange rate, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.

 

Issuer risks — The prices of, and the income generated by, securities held by the fund may decline in response to various factors directly related to the issuers of such securities, including reduced demand for an issuer’s goods or services, poor management performance, major litigation related to the issuer, changes in government regulations affecting the issuer or its competitive environment and strategic initiatives such as mergers, acquisitions or dispositions and the market response to any such initiatives.

 

Investing in debt instruments — The prices of, and the income generated by, bonds and other debt securities held by the fund may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in the effective maturities and credit ratings of these securities.

 

Rising interest rates will generally cause the prices of bonds and other debt securities to fall. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to sell debt securities on a large scale, which could also adversely affect the price and liquidity of debt securities and could also result in increased redemptions from the fund. Falling interest rates may cause an issuer to redeem, call or refinance a debt security before its stated maturity, which may result in the fund having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities. Longer maturity debt securities generally have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates and may be subject to greater price fluctuations than shorter maturity debt securities.

 

Bonds and other debt securities are also subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that the credit strength of an issuer or guarantor will weaken or be perceived to be weaker, and/or an issuer of a debt security will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest and the security will go into default. A downgrade or default affecting any of the fund’s securities could cause the value of the fund’s shares to decrease. Lower quality debt securities generally have higher rates of interest and may be subject to greater price fluctuations than higher quality debt securities. Credit risk is gauged, in part, by the credit ratings of the debt securities in which the fund invests. However, ratings are only the opinions of the rating agencies issuing them and are not guarantees as to credit quality or an evaluation of market risk. The fund’s investment adviser relies on its own credit analysts to research issuers and issues in seeking to assess credit and default risks.

 

Liquidity risk — Certain fund holdings may be or become difficult or impossible to sell, particularly during times of market turmoil. Liquidity may be impacted by the lack of an active market for a holding, legal or contractual restrictions on resale, or the reduced number and capacity of market participants to make a market in such holding. Market prices for less liquid or illiquid holdings may be volatile, and reduced liquidity may have an adverse impact on the market price of such holdings. Additionally, the sale of less liquid or illiquid holdings may involve substantial delays (including delays in settlement) and additional costs and the fund may be unable to sell such holdings when necessary to meet its liquidity needs or may be forced to sell at a loss.

 

Investing in securities backed by the U.S. government — Securities backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the U.S. government are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. Accordingly, the current market values for these securities will fluctuate with changes in interest rates and the credit rating of the U.S. government. Securities issued by government-sponsored entities and federal agencies and instrumentalities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. government.

 

Investing in future delivery contracts — The fund may enter into contracts, such as to-be-announced contracts and mortgage dollar rolls, that involve the fund selling mortgage-related securities and simultaneously contracting to repurchase similar securities for delivery at a future date at a predetermined price. This can increase the fund’s market exposure, and the market price of the securities that the fund contracts to repurchase could drop below their purchase price. While the fund can preserve and generate capital through the use of such contracts by, for example, realizing the difference between the sale price and the future purchase price, the income generated by the fund may be reduced by engaging in such transactions. In addition, these transactions may increase the turnover rate of the fund.

 

Investing in inflation-linked bonds — The values of inflation-linked bonds generally fluctuate in response to changes in real interest rates —i.e., rates of interest after factoring in inflation. A rise in real interest rates may cause the prices of inflation-linked securities to fall, while a decline in real interest rates may cause the prices to increase. Inflation-linked bonds may experience greater losses than other debt securities with similar durations when real interest rates rise faster than nominal interest rates. There can be no assurance that the value of an inflation-linked security will be directly correlated to changes in interest rates; for example, if interest rates rise for reasons other than inflation, the increase may not be reflected in the security’s inflation measure.

 

American Funds Mortgage Fund 15
 

Investing in inflation-linked bonds may also reduce the fund’s distributable income during periods of deflation. If prices for goods and services decline throughout the economy, the principal and income on inflation-linked securities may decline and result in losses to the fund.

 

Investing in derivatives — The use of derivatives involves a variety of risks, which may be different from, or greater than, the risks associated with investing in traditional securities, such as stocks and bonds. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with, and may be more sensitive to market events than, the underlying asset, rate or index, and a derivative instrument may expose the fund to losses in excess of its initial investment. Derivatives may be difficult to value, difficult for the fund to buy or sell at an opportune time or price and difficult, or even impossible, to terminate or otherwise offset. The fund’s use of derivatives may result in losses to the fund, and investing in derivatives may reduce the fund’s returns and increase the fund’s price volatility. The fund’s counterparty to a derivative transaction (including, if applicable, the fund’s clearing broker, the derivatives exchange or the clearinghouse) may be unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations in respect of the transaction. In certain cases, the fund may be hindered or delayed in exercising remedies against or closing out derivative instruments with a counterparty, which may result in additional losses.

 

Management — The investment adviser to the fund actively manages the fund’s investments. Consequently, the fund is subject to the risk that the methods and analyses, including models, tools and data, employed by the investment adviser in this process may be flawed or incorrect and may not produce the desired results. This could cause the fund to lose value or its investment results to lag relevant benchmarks or other funds with similar objectives.

 

5. Certain investment techniques

 

Index-linked bonds — The fund has invested in index-linked bonds, which are fixed-income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted to a government price index. Over the life of an index-linked bond, interest is paid on the adjusted principal value. Increases or decreases in the principal value of index-linked bonds are recorded as interest income in the fund’s statement of operations.

 

Mortgage dollar rolls — The fund has entered into mortgage dollar roll transactions in which the fund sells a mortgage-backed security to a counterparty and simultaneously enters into an agreement with the same counterparty to buy back a similar security on a specific future date at a predetermined price. Mortgage dollar rolls are accounted for as purchase and sale transactions. Portfolio turnover rates excluding and including mortgage dollar rolls are presented at the end of the fund’s financial highlights table.

 

Futures contracts — The fund has entered into futures contracts, which provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument for a specified price, date, time and place designated at the time the contract is made. Futures contracts are used to strategically manage the fund’s interest rate sensitivity by increasing or decreasing the duration of the fund or a portion of the fund’s portfolio.

 

Upon entering into futures contracts, and to maintain the fund’s open positions in futures contracts, the fund is required to deposit with a futures broker, known as a futures commission merchant (“FCM”), in a segregated account in the name of the FCM an amount of cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid securities, known as initial margin. The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded to serve as collateral, and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Securities deposited as initial margin, if any, are disclosed in the investment portfolio and cash deposited as initial margin, if any, is reflected as cash pledged for futures contracts in the fund’s statement of assets and liabilities.

 

On a daily basis, the fund pays or receives variation margin based on the increase or decrease in the value of the futures contracts and records variation margin on futures contracts in the statement of assets and liabilities. In addition, the fund segregates liquid assets equivalent to the fund’s outstanding obligations under the contract in excess of the initial margin and variation margin, if any. Futures contracts may involve a risk of loss in excess of the variation margin shown on the fund’s statement of assets and liabilities. The fund records realized gains or losses at the time the futures contract is closed or expires. Net realized gains or losses and net unrealized appreciation or depreciation from futures contracts are recorded in the fund’s statement of operations. The average month-end notional amount of futures contracts while held was $3,130,667,000.

 

Interest rate swaps — The fund has entered into interest rate swap contracts, which are agreements to exchange one stream of future interest payments for another based on a specified notional amount. Typically, interest rate swaps exchange a fixed interest rate for a payment that floats relative to a benchmark or vice versa. The fund’s investment adviser uses interest rate swaps to seek to manage the interest rate sensitivity of the fund by increasing or decreasing the duration of the fund or a portion of the fund’s portfolio. Risks may arise as a result of the fund’s investment adviser incorrectly anticipating changes in interest rates, increased volatility, reduced liquidity and the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their agreements.

 

16 American Funds Mortgage Fund
 

Upon entering into an interest rate swap contract, the fund is required to deposit cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid securities, which is known as initial margin. Generally, the initial margin required for a particular interest rate swap is set and held as collateral by the clearinghouse on which the contract is cleared. The amount of initial margin required may be significantly modified from time to time by the clearinghouse during the term of the contract.

 

On a daily basis, the fund’s investment adviser records daily interest accruals related to the exchange of future payments as a receivable and payable in the fund’s statement of assets and liabilities. The fund also pays or receives a variation margin based on the increase or decrease in the value of the interest rate swaps, including accrued interest, and records variation margin on interest rate swaps in the statement of assets and liabilities. The fund records realized gains and losses on both the net accrued interest and any gain or loss recognized at the time the interest rate swap is closed or expires. Net realized gains or losses, as well as any net unrealized appreciation or depreciation, from interest rate swaps are recorded in the fund’s statement of operations. The average month-end notional amount of interest rate swaps while held was $4,807,237,000.

 

The following tables identify the location and fair value amounts on the fund’s statement of assets and liabilities and the effect on the fund’s statement of operations resulting from the fund’s use of futures contracts and interest rate swaps as of, or for the year ended, August 31, 2019 (dollars in thousands):

 

        Assets     Liabilities  
Contracts   Risk type   Location on statement of
assets and liabilities
  Value     Location on statement of
assets and liabilities
  Value  
Futures   Interest   Unrealized appreciation*   $ 3,721     Unrealized depreciation*   $ 2,568  
Swap   Interest   Unrealized appreciation*     33,856     Unrealized depreciation*     94,570  
            $ 37,577         $ 97,138  
                 
        Net realized gain     Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)  
Contracts   Risk type   Location on statement of
operations
  Value     Location on statement of
operations
  Value  
Futures   Interest   Net realized gain on futures contracts   $ 113,626     Net unrealized appreciation on futures contracts   $ 553  
Swap   Interest   Net realized gain on swap contracts     14,316     Net unrealized depreciation on swap contracts     (83,905 )
            $ 127,942         $ (83,352 )

 

* Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts and interest rate swaps as reported in the applicable tables following the fund’s investment portfolio. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities.

 

Collateral — The fund participates in a collateral program that calls for the fund to either receive or pledge highly liquid assets, such as cash or U.S. government securities, as collateral due to its use of futures contracts, interest rate swaps and future delivery contracts. For futures contracts and interest rate swaps, the program calls for the fund to pledge collateral for initial and variation margin by contract. For future delivery contracts, the program calls for the fund to either receive or pledge collateral based on the net gain or loss on unsettled contracts by certain counterparties. The purpose of the collateral is to cover potential losses that could occur in the event that either party cannot meet its contractual obligation. Non-cash collateral pledged by the fund, if any, is disclosed in the fund’s investment portfolio, and cash collateral pledged by the fund, if any, is held in a segregated account with the fund’s custodian, which is reflected as pledged cash in the fund’s statement of assets and liabilities.

 

6. Taxation and distributions

 

Federal income taxation — The fund complies with the requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to mutual funds and intends to distribute substantially all of its net taxable income and net capital gains each year. The fund is not subject to income taxes to the extent such distributions are made. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

 

As of and during the period ended August 31, 2019, the fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the statement of operations. During the period, the fund did not incur any significant interest or penalties.

 

American Funds Mortgage Fund 17
 

The fund’s tax returns are not subject to examination by federal, state and, if applicable, non-U.S. tax authorities after the expiration of each jurisdiction’s statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the date of filing but can be extended in certain jurisdictions.

 

Distributions — Distributions paid to shareholders are based on net investment income and net realized gains determined on a tax basis, which may differ from net investment income and net realized gains for financial reporting purposes. These differences are due primarily to different treatment for items such as short-term capital gains and losses; capital losses related to sales of certain securities within 30 days of purchase; cost of investments sold; paydowns on fixed-income securities; net capital losses and income on certain investments. The fiscal year in which amounts are distributed may differ from the year in which the net investment income and net realized gains are recorded by the fund for financial reporting purposes.

 

During the year ended August 31, 2019, the fund reclassified $1,000 from total distributable earnings to capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest to align financial reporting with tax reporting. The fund also utilized capital loss carryforward of $120,341,000.

 

As of August 31, 2019, the tax basis components of distributable earnings, unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and cost of investments were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Undistributed ordinary income   $ 40,673  
Undistributed long-term capital gains     23,325  
Gross unrealized appreciation on investments     155,697  
Gross unrealized depreciation on investments     (99,082 )
Net unrealized appreciation on investments     56,615  
Cost of investments     7,281,041  

 

Distributions paid or accrued were characterized for tax purposes as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

    Year ended August 31, 2019     Year ended August 31, 2018  
Share class   Ordinary
income
    Long-term
capital gains
    Total
distributions
paid or
accrued
    Ordinary
income
    Long-term
capital gains
    Total
distributions
paid or
accrued
 
Class A   $ 4,156     $     $ 4,156     $ 3,378     $ 287          $ 3,665  
Class C     216             216       146       25       171  
Class T     *           *     *     *     *
Class F-1     372             372       238       21       259  
Class F-2     2,526             2,526       1,124       74       1,198  
Class F-3     404             404       236       16       252  
Class 529-A     462             462       325       28       353  
Class 529-C     57             57       38       6       44  
Class 529-E     28             28       20       2       22  
Class 529-T     *           *     *     *     *
Class 529-F-1     183             183       133       9       142  
Class R-1     62             62       36       6       42  
Class R-2     51             51       29       4       33  
Class R-2E     2             2       1       *     1  
Class R-3     729             729       409       42       451  
Class R-4     111             111       67       3       70  
Class R-5E     3             3       1       *     1  
Class R-5     32             32       22       2       24  
Class R-6     135,322             135,322       79,055       4,927       83,982  
Total   $ 144,716     $     $ 144,716     $ 85,258     $ 5,452     $ 90,710  

 

* Amount less than one thousand.

 

7. Fees and transactions with related parties

 

CRMC, the fund’s investment adviser, is the parent company of American Funds Distributors,® Inc. (“AFD”), the principal underwriter of the fund’s shares, and American Funds Service Company® (“AFS”), the fund’s transfer agent. CRMC, AFD and AFS are considered related parties to the fund.

 

18 American Funds Mortgage Fund
 

Investment advisory services — The fund has an investment advisory and service agreement with CRMC that provides for monthly fees accrued daily. These fees are based on a series of decreasing annual rates beginning with 0.300% on the first $60 million of daily net assets and decreasing to 0.140% on such assets in excess of $10 billion. The agreement also provides for monthly fees, accrued daily, based on a series of decreasing rates beginning with 3.00% on the first $3,333,333 of the fund’s monthly gross income and decreasing to 2.00% on such income in excess of $8,333,333. For the year ended August 31, 2019, the investment advisory services fee was $13,297,000, which was equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.237% of average daily net assets.

 

Class-specific fees and expenses — Expenses that are specific to individual share classes are accrued directly to the respective share class. The principal class-specific fees and expenses are further described below:

 

Distribution services — The fund has plans of distribution for all share classes, except Class F-2, F-3, R-5E, R-5 and R-6 shares. Under the plans, the board of trustees approves certain categories of expenses that are used to finance activities primarily intended to sell fund shares and service existing accounts. The plans provide for payments, based on an annualized percentage of average daily net assets, ranging from 0.30% to 1.00% as noted in this section. In some cases, the board of trustees has limited the amounts that may be paid to less than the maximum allowed by the plans. All share classes with a plan may use up to 0.25% of average daily net assets to pay service fees, or to compensate AFD for paying service fees, to firms that have entered into agreements with AFD to provide certain shareholder services. The remaining amounts available to be paid under each plan are paid to dealers to compensate them for their sales activities.

 

Share class   Currently approved limits   Plan limits
Class A     0.25 %     0.30 %
Class 529-A     0.25       0.50  
Classes C, 529-C and R-1     1.00       1.00  
Class R-2     0.75       1.00  
Class R-2E     0.60       0.85  
Classes 529-E and R-3     0.50       0.75  
Classes T, F-1, 529-T, 529-F-1 and R-4     0.25       0.50  

 

For Class A and 529-A shares, distribution-related expenses include the reimbursement of dealer and wholesaler commissions paid by AFD for certain shares sold without a sales charge. These share classes reimburse AFD for amounts billed within the prior 15 months but only to the extent that the overall annual expense limits are not exceeded. As of August 31, 2019, unreimbursed expenses subject to reimbursement totaled $85,000 for Class A shares. There were no unreimbursed expenses subject to reimbursement for Class 529-A shares.

 

Transfer agent services — The fund has a shareholder services agreement with AFS under which the fund compensates AFS for providing transfer agent services to each of the fund’s share classes. These services include recordkeeping, shareholder communications and transaction processing. In addition, the fund reimburses AFS for amounts paid to third parties for performing transfer agent services on behalf of fund shareholders.

 

Administrative services — The fund has an administrative services agreement with CRMC under which the fund compensates CRMC for providing administrative services to all share classes. Administrative services are provided by CRMC and its affiliates to help assist third parties providing non-distribution services to fund shareholders. These services include providing in depth information on the fund and market developments that impact fund investments. Administrative services also include, but are not limited to, coordinating, monitoring and overseeing third parties that provide services to fund shareholders. The agreement provides the fund the ability to charge an administrative services fee at the annual rate of 0.05% of the daily net assets attributable to each share class of the fund. Prior to July 1, 2019, Class A shares paid CRMC an administrative services fee at the annual rate of 0.01% of daily net assets and all other share classes paid a fee at the annual rate of 0.05% of their respective daily net assets. The fund’s board of trustees authorized the fund to pay CRMC effective July 1, 2019, an administrative services fee at the annual rate of 0.03% of the average daily net assets attributable to each share class of the fund (which could increase as noted above) for CRMC’s provision of administrative services.

 

529 plan services — Each 529 share class is subject to service fees to compensate the Virginia College Savings Plan (“Virginia529”) for its oversight and administration of the CollegeAmerica 529 college savings plan. The fee is based on the combined net assets invested in Class 529 and ABLE shares of the American Funds. Class ABLE shares are offered on other American Funds by Virginia529 through ABLEAmerica®, a tax-advantaged savings program for individuals with disabilities. The quarterly fee is based on a series of decreasing annual rates beginning with 0.10% on the first $20 billion of the combined net assets invested in the American Funds and decreasing to 0.03% on such assets in excess of $100 billion. The fee for any given calendar quarter is accrued and calculated on the basis of the average net assets of Class 529 and ABLE shares of the American Funds for the last month of the prior

 

American Funds Mortgage Fund 19
 

calendar quarter. The fee is included in other expenses in the fund’s statement of operations. Virginia529 is not considered a related party to the fund.

 

For the year ended August 31, 2019, class-specific expenses under the agreements were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Share class   Distribution
services
  Transfer agent
services
  Administrative
services
  529 plan
services
 
Class A   $ 473   $330   $ 25   Not applicable  
Class C   151   26   7   Not applicable  
Class T     * * Not applicable  
Class F-1   42   23   8   Not applicable  
Class F-2   Not applicable   98   46   Not applicable  
Class F-3   Not applicable   1   7   Not applicable  
Class 529-A   51   33   10   $14  
Class 529-C   41   7   2   3  
Class 529-E   7   2   1   1  
Class 529-T     * * *
Class 529-F-1     12   4   5  
Class R-1   42   7   2   Not applicable  
Class R-2   26   12   2   Not applicable  
Class R-2E   1   * * Not applicable  
Class R-3   189   77   17   Not applicable  
Class R-4   13   6   2   Not applicable  
Class R-5E   Not applicable   * * Not applicable  
Class R-5   Not applicable   1   1   Not applicable  
Class R-6   Not applicable   3   2,393   Not applicable  
Total class-specific expenses   $1,036   $638   $2,527   $23  

 

  * Amount less than one thousand.

 

Trustees’ deferred compensation — Trustees who are unaffiliated with CRMC may elect to defer the cash payment of part or all of their compensation. These deferred amounts, which remain as liabilities of the fund, are treated as if invested in shares of the fund or other American Funds. These amounts represent general, unsecured liabilities of the fund and vary according to the total returns of the selected funds. Trustees’ compensation of $36,000 in the fund’s statement of operations reflects $34,000 in current fees (either paid in cash or deferred) and a net increase of $2,000 in the value of the deferred amounts.

 

Affiliated officers and trustees — Officers and certain trustees of the fund are or may be considered to be affiliated with CRMC, AFD and AFS. No affiliated officers or trustees received any compensation directly from the fund.

 

Security transactions with related funds — The fund may purchase securities from, or sell securities to, other funds managed by CRMC (or funds managed by certain affiliates of CRMC) under procedures adopted by the fund’s board of trustees. The funds involved in such transactions are considered related by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers), common trustees and/or common officers. When such transactions occur, each transaction is executed at the current market price of the security and no brokerage commissions or fees are paid in accordance with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act.

 

Interfund lending — Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, the fund, along with other CRMC-managed funds (or funds managed by certain affiliates of CRMC), may participate in an interfund lending program. The program provides an alternate credit facility that permits the funds to lend or borrow cash for temporary purposes directly to or from one another, subject to the conditions of the exemptive order. The fund did not lend or borrow cash through the interfund lending program at any time during the year ended August 31, 2019.

 

20 American Funds Mortgage Fund
 

8. Capital share transactions

 

Capital share transactions in the fund were as follows (dollars and shares in thousands):

 

    Sales*     Reinvestments of
distributions
    Repurchases*     Net (decrease)
increase
 
Share class   Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares  
                                                 
Year ended August 31, 2019                                                                
                                                                 
Class A   $ 39,375       3,954     $ 4,080       409     $ (49,124 )     (4,972 )   $ (5,669 )     (609 )
Class C     4,255       429       214       22       (4,681 )     (475 )     (212 )     (24 )
Class T                                                
Class F-1     10,846       1,094       370       37       (6,987 )     (702 )     4,229       429  
Class F-2     98,847       9,962       2,486       249       (57,433 )     (5,778 )     43,900       4,433  
Class F-3     10,676       1,070       335       33       (7,192 )     (719 )     3,819       384  
Class 529-A     7,531       754       459       46       (6,235 )     (627 )     1,755       173  
Class 529-C     1,319       133       56       6       (1,869 )     (189 )     (494 )     (50 )
Class 529-E     500       50       28       3       (389 )     (39 )     139       14  
Class 529-T                                        
Class 529-F-1     2,698       272       182       18       (2,615 )     (263 )     265       27  
Class R-1     1,049       106       61       6       (1,764 )     (177 )     (654 )     (65 )
Class R-2     1,195       121       51       5       (1,278 )     (129 )     (32 )     (3 )
Class R-2E     44       4       2           (3 )         43       4  
Class R-3     20,365       2,051       723       72       (15,687 )     (1,573 )     5,401       550  
Class R-4     1,280       129       109       11       (2,721 )     (276 )     (1,332 )     (136 )
Class R-5E     176       18       3           (4 )         175       18  
Class R-5     305       31       32       3       (467 )     (46 )     (130 )     (12 )
Class R-6     1,397,146       140,299       135,321       13,540       (132,489 )     (13,321 )     1,399,978       140,518  
Total net increase (decrease)   $ 1,597,607       160,477     $ 144,512       14,460     $ (290,938 )     (29,286 )   $ 1,451,181       145,651  
                                                                 
Year ended August 31, 2018                                                                
                                                                 
Class A   $ 44,042       4,413     $ 3,571       360     $ (60,682 )     (6,106 )   $ (13,069 )     (1,333 )
Class C     2,842       287       168       17       (7,643 )     (770 )     (4,633 )     (466 )
Class T                                                
Class F-1     8,910       891       256       26       (9,468 )     (954 )     (302 )     (37 )
Class F-2     50,747       5,114       1,192       120       (22,872 )     (2,310 )     29,067       2,924  
Class F-3     8,914       896       172       17       (6,294 )     (632 )     2,792       281  
Class 529-A     7,505       753       350       36       (5,346 )     (539 )     2,509       250  
Class 529-C     1,426       144       44       5       (3,301 )     (332 )     (1,831 )     (183 )
Class 529-E     293       30       21       2       (417 )     (42 )     (103 )     (10 )
Class 529-T                                        
Class 529-F-1     2,229       224       142       14       (1,779 )     (179 )     592       59  
Class R-1     2,503       252       42       4       (1,419 )     (143 )     1,126       113  
Class R-2     1,296       131       33       3       (1,102 )     (111 )     227       23  
Class R-2E     25       3       1           (7 )     (1 )     19       2  
Class R-3     19,883       2,001       448       45       (11,789 )     (1,189 )     8,542       857  
Class R-4     4,265       432       70       7       (606 )     (61 )     3,729       378  
Class R-5E     138       14       1           (65 )     (7 )     74       7  
Class R-5     1,082       108       23       2       (650 )     (65 )     455       45  
Class R-6     1,489,439       149,462       83,979       8,473       (176,128 )     (17,861 )     1,397,290       140,074  
Total net increase (decrease)   $ 1,645,539       165,155     $ 90,513       9,131     $ (309,568 )     (31,302 )   $ 1,426,484       142,984  

 

* Includes exchanges between share classes of the fund.
Amount less than one thousand.

 

9. Investment transactions

 

The fund made purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities and U.S. government obligations, if any, of $29,694,954,000 and $29,424,948,000, respectively, during the year ended August 31, 2019.

 

American Funds Mortgage Fund 21
 

10. Ownership concentration

 

At August 31, 2019, three shareholders held more than 10% of the fund’s outstanding shares. The three shareholders were American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund, American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Fund and American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund, with aggregate ownership of the fund’s outstanding shares of 17%, 17% and 14%, respectively. CRMC is the investment adviser to the three target date retirement funds.

 

22 American Funds Mortgage Fund
 

Financial highlights

 

          Income (loss) from
investment operations1
 

 

Dividends and distributions

                                   
Period ended   Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
    Net
investment
income
(loss)
    Net gains
(losses) on
securities
(both
realized and
unrealized)
    Total from
investment
operations
    Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
    Distributions
(from capital
gains)
    Total
dividends
and
distributions
    Net asset
value,
end
of period
    Total
return2,3
    Net assets,
end of period
(in millions)
    Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets before
reimburse-
ments
    Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets after
reimburse-
ments3
    Ratio of
net income
(loss)
to average
net assets3
 
Class A:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019   $ 9.84     $ .20     $ .39     $ .59     $ (.22 )   $     $ (.22 )   $ 10.21       6.05 %   $ 198       .69 %     .69 %     2.03 %
8/31/2018     10.20       .14       (.32 )     (.18 )     (.15 )     (.03 )     (.18 )     9.84       (1.81 )     197       .68       .68       1.41  
8/31/2017     10.23       .10       .09       .19       (.13 )     (.09 )     (.22 )     10.20       1.94       218       .69       .69       .98  
8/31/2016     10.22       .08       .22       .30       (.16 )     (.13 )     (.29 )     10.23       2.90       229       .68       .68       .79  
8/31/2015     10.21       .04       .17       .21       (.10 )     (.10 )     (.20 )     10.22       2.09       164       .70       .70       .40  
Class C:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019     9.80       .12       .39       .51       (.14 )           (.14 )     10.17       5.26       16       1.46       1.46       1.25  
8/31/2018     10.17       .06       (.33 )     (.27 )     (.07 )     (.03 )     (.10 )     9.80       (2.68 )     16       1.47       1.47       .60  
8/31/2017     10.19       .02       .11       .13       (.06 )     (.09 )     (.15 )     10.17       1.25       21       1.48       1.48       .18  
8/31/2016     10.18       4      .22       .22       (.08 )     (.13 )     (.21 )     10.19       2.10       26       1.48       1.48       (.01 )
8/31/2015     10.19       (.05 )     .17       .12       (.03 )     (.10 )     (.13 )     10.18       1.14       17       1.50       1.50       (.40 )
Class T:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019     9.83       .22       .40       .62       (.24 )           (.24 )     10.21       6.40 5     6      .46 5      .46 5      2.26 5 
8/31/2018     10.20       .16       (.33 )     (.17 )     (.17 )     (.03 )     (.20 )     9.83       (1.68 )5      6      .45 5      .45 5      1.65 5 
8/31/20177,8      10.10       .06       .10       .16       (.06 )           (.06 )     10.20       1.63 5,9      6      .18 5,9      .18 5,9      .55 5,9 
Class F-1:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019     9.84       .20       .39       .59       (.22 )           (.22 )     10.21       6.06       18       .68       .68       2.05  
8/31/2018     10.20       .14       (.32 )     (.18 )     (.15 )     (.03 )     (.18 )     9.84       (1.83 )     14       .70       .70       1.39  
8/31/2017     10.23       .10       .09       .19       (.13 )     (.09 )     (.22 )     10.20       1.92       14       .70       .70       .94  
8/31/2016     10.22       .08       .22       .30       (.16 )     (.13 )     (.29 )     10.23       2.91       23       .67       .67       .92  
8/31/2015     10.21       .04       .17       .21       (.10 )     (.10 )     (.20 )     10.22       2.08       10       .71       .71       .41  
Class F-2:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019     9.84       .23       .40       .63       (.25 )           (.25 )     10.22       6.46       122       .39       .39       2.33  
8/31/2018     10.21       .17       (.33 )     (.16 )     (.18 )     (.03 )     (.21 )     9.84       (1.64 )     74       .40       .40       1.73  
8/31/2017     10.23       .12       .11       .23       (.16 )     (.09 )     (.25 )     10.21       2.30       47       .44       .44       1.20  
8/31/2016     10.22       .11       .22       .33       (.19 )     (.13 )     (.32 )     10.23       3.18       53       .41       .41       1.28  
8/31/2015     10.21       .07       .17       .24       (.13 )     (.10 )     (.23 )     10.22       2.37       12       .42       .42       .67  
Class F-3:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019     9.84       .24       .40       .64       (.26 )           (.26 )     10.22       6.56       18       .30       .30       2.43  
8/31/2018     10.20       .18       (.32 )     (.14 )     (.19 )     (.03 )     (.22 )     9.84       (1.45 )     13       .31       .31       1.80  
8/31/20177,10      10.07       .09       .14       .23       (.10 )           (.10 )     10.20       2.33 9      11       .31 11      .31 11      1.55 11 
Class 529-A:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019     9.83       .20       .39       .59       (.21 )           (.21 )     10.21       6.09       24       .75       .75       1.97  
8/31/2018     10.20       .13       (.33 )     (.20 )     (.14 )     (.03 )     (.17 )     9.83       (1.98 )     21       .75       .75       1.36  
8/31/2017     10.23       .10       .09       .19       (.13 )     (.09 )     (.22 )     10.20       1.98       19       .74       .74       .94  
8/31/2016     10.21       .08       .22       .30       (.15 )     (.13 )     (.28 )     10.23       2.81       18       .76       .76       .71  
8/31/2015     10.21       .02       .17       .19       (.09 )     (.10 )     (.19 )     10.21       1.91       13       .79       .79       .32  

 

See end of table for footnotes.

 

American Funds Mortgage Fund 23
 

Financial highlights (continued)

 

          Income (loss) from
investment operations1
  Dividends and distributions                                    
Period ended   Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
    Net
investment
income
(loss)
    Net gains
(losses) on
securities
(both
realized and
unrealized)
    Total from
investment
operations
    Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
    Distributions
(from capital
gains)
    Total
dividends
and
distributions
    Net asset
value,
end
of period
    Total
return2,3
    Net assets,
end of period
(in millions)
    Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets before
reimburse-
ments
    Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets after
reimburse-
ments3
    Ratio of
net income
(loss)
to average
net assets3
 
Class 529-C:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019   $ 9.79     $ .12     $ .39     $ .51     $ (.14 )   $     $ (.14 )   $ 10.16       5.22 %   $ 4       1.51 %     1.51 %     1.20 %
8/31/2018     10.15       .05       (.31 )     (.26 )     (.07 )     (.03 )     (.10 )     9.79       (2.64 )     4       1.52       1.52       .54  
8/31/2017     10.18       .01       .10       .11       (.05 )     (.09 )     (.14 )     10.15       1.10       6       1.53       1.53       .14  
8/31/2016     10.17       (.01 )     .22       .21       (.07 )     (.13 )     (.20 )     10.18       2.04       7       1.55       1.55       (.06 )
8/31/2015     10.18       (.06 )     .17       .11       (.02 )     (.10 )     (.12 )     10.17       1.10       5       1.57       1.57       (.47 )
Class 529-E:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019     9.84       .18       .38       .56       (.19 )           (.19 )     10.21       5.77       2       .96       .96       1.77  
8/31/2018     10.20       .11       (.32 )     (.21 )     (.12 )     (.03 )     (.15 )     9.84       (2.09 )     1       .96       .96       1.14  
8/31/2017     10.23       .07       .10       .17       (.11 )     (.09 )     (.20 )     10.20       1.65       2       .98       .98       .71  
8/31/2016     10.21       .05       .22       .27       (.12 )     (.13 )     (.25 )     10.23       2.66       1       1.01       1.01       .45  
8/31/2015     10.21       4      .17       .17       (.07 )     (.10 )     (.17 )     10.21       1.65       1       1.04       1.04       .06  
Class 529-T:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019     9.83       .22       .40       .62       (.24 )           (.24 )     10.21       6.34 5      6      .51 5      .51 5      2.21 5 
8/31/2018     10.20       .16       (.33 )     (.17 )     (.17 )     (.03 )     (.20 )     9.83       (1.74 )5      6      .52 5      .52 5      1.59 5 
8/31/20177,8      10.10       .05       .11       .16       (.06 )           (.06 )     10.20       1.60 5,9      6      .20 5,9      .20 5,9      .53 5,9 
Class 529-F-1:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019     9.84       .22       .39       .61       (.24 )           (.24 )     10.21       6.23       8       .52       .52       2.20  
8/31/2018     10.20       .16       (.32 )     (.16 )     (.17 )     (.03 )     (.20 )     9.84       (1.66 )     8       .52       .52       1.60  
8/31/2017     10.23       .12       .09       .21       (.15 )     (.09 )     (.24 )     10.20       2.11       7       .53       .53       1.17  
8/31/2016     10.22       .09       .22       .31       (.17 )     (.13 )     (.30 )     10.23       3.03       6       .55       .55       .89  
8/31/2015     10.21       .06       .17       .23       (.12 )     (.10 )     (.22 )     10.22       2.22       6       .57       .57       .54  
Class R-1:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019     9.81       .12       .40       .52       (.15 )           (.15 )     10.18       5.30       4       1.45       1.45       1.26  
8/31/2018     10.17       .06       (.32 )     (.26 )     (.07 )     (.03 )     (.10 )     9.81       (2.58 )     4       1.47       1.47       .65  
8/31/2017     10.20       .03       .08       .11       (.05 )     (.09 )     (.14 )     10.17       1.13       4       1.49       1.49       .33  
8/31/2016     10.19       .01       .22       .23       (.09 )     (.13 )     (.22 )     10.20       2.27       6      1.33       1.33       .18  
8/31/2015     10.19       4      .17       .17       (.07 )     (.10 )     (.17 )     10.19       1.61       6      1.13       1.13       (.06 )
Class R-2:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019     9.79       .13       .39       .52       (.15 )           (.15 )     10.16       5.33       3       1.40       1.40       1.32  
8/31/2018     10.15       .07       (.32 )     (.25 )     (.08 )     (.03 )     (.11 )     9.79       (2.54 )     3       1.42       1.42       .69  
8/31/2017     10.18       .02       .10       .12       (.06 )     (.09 )     (.15 )     10.15       1.18       3       1.46       1.46       .22  
8/31/2016     10.17       4      .22       .22       (.08 )     (.13 )     (.21 )     10.18       2.10       3       1.49       1.49       (.01 )
8/31/2015     10.18       (.06 )     .17       .11       (.02 )     (.10 )     (.12 )     10.17       1.08       2       1.62       1.62       (.51 )
Class R-2E:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019     9.82       .16       .40       .56       (.18 )           (.18 )     10.20       5.74       6      1.14       1.09       1.64  
8/31/2018     10.19       .10       (.33 )     (.23 )     (.11 )     (.03 )     (.14 )     9.82       (2.30 )5      6      1.17 5      1.07 5      1.04 5 
8/31/2017     10.21       .06       .11       .17       (.10 )     (.09 )     (.19 )     10.19       1.69 5      6      1.12 5      1.11 5      .63 5 
8/31/2016     10.22       .08       .22       .30       (.18 )     (.13 )     (.31 )     10.21       2.92 5      6      .70 5      .60 5      .84 5 
8/31/2015     10.21       .06       .17       .23       (.12 )     (.10 )     (.22 )     10.22       2.22 5      6      .57 5      .57 5      .54 5 

 

24 American Funds Mortgage Fund
 
          Income (loss) from
investment operations1
 

 

Dividends and distributions

                                   
Period ended   Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
    Net
investment
income
(loss)
    Net gains
(losses) on
securities
(both
realized and
unrealized)
    Total from
investment
operations
    Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
    Distributions
(from capital
gains)
    Total
dividends
and
distributions
    Net asset
value,
end
of period
    Total
return2,3
    Net assets,
end of period
(in millions)
    Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets before
reimburse-
ments
    Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets after
reimburse-
ments3
    Ratio of
net income
(loss)
to average
net assets3
 
Class R-3:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019   $ 9.83     $ .17     $ .39     $ .56     $ (.19 )   $     $ (.19 )   $ 10.20       5.75 %   $ 41       1.00 %     1.00 %     1.74 %
8/31/2018     10.19       .11       (.32 )     (.21 )     (.12 )     (.03 )     (.15 )     9.83       (2.15 )     34       1.02       1.02       1.10  
8/31/2017     10.22       .08       .08       .16       (.10 )     (.09 )     (.19 )     10.19       1.59       26       1.02       1.02       .79  
8/31/2016     10.21       .04       .22       .26       (.12 )     (.13 )     (.25 )     10.22       2.57       3       1.00       1.00       .52  
8/31/2015     10.21       4      .17       .17       (.07 )     (.10 )     (.17 )     10.21       1.68       2       1.01       1.01       .09  
Class R-4:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019     9.84       .20       .39       .59       (.22 )           (.22 )     10.21       6.08       5       .66       .66       2.04  
8/31/2018     10.20       .15       (.33 )     (.18 )     (.15 )     (.03 )     (.18 )     9.84       (1.80 )     6       .66       .66       1.55  
8/31/2017     10.23       .10       .09       .19       (.13 )     (.09 )     (.22 )     10.20       1.94       2       .69       .69       .97  
8/31/2016     10.22       .08       .22       .30       (.16 )     (.13 )     (.29 )     10.23       2.93       3       .65       .65       .88  
8/31/2015     10.21       .05       .17       .22       (.11 )     (.10 )     (.21 )     10.22       2.16       2       .63       .63       .48  
Class R-5E:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019     9.84       .23       .38       .61       (.24 )           (.24 )     10.21       6.28       6      .48       .46       2.28  
8/31/2018     10.20       .18       (.33 )     (.15 )     (.18 )     (.03 )     (.21 )     9.84       (1.53 )     6      .48       .45       1.79  
8/31/2017     10.23       .13       .10       .23       (.17 )     (.09 )     (.26 )     10.20       2.25       6      .56       .40       1.28  
8/31/20167,12      10.25       .08       .17       .25       (.14 )     (.13 )     (.27 )     10.23       2.39 9     6      .53 11      .53 11      1.01 11 
Class R-5:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019     9.84       .24       .38       .62       (.25 )           (.25 )     10.21       6.40       1       .36       .36       2.36  
8/31/2018     10.20       .18       (.33 )     (.15 )     (.18 )     (.03 )     (.21 )     9.84       (1.50 )     1       .36       .36       1.77  
8/31/2017     10.23       .13       .10       .23       (.17 )     (.09 )     (.26 )     10.20       2.25       1       .38       .38       1.31  
8/31/2016     10.22       .11       .22       .33       (.19 )     (.13 )     (.32 )     10.23       3.19       1       .39       .39       1.14  
8/31/2015     10.21       .07       .17       .24       (.13 )     (.10 )     (.23 )     10.22       2.40       6      .38       .38       .72  
Class R-6:                                                                                                        
8/31/2019     9.84       .24       .39       .63       (.26 )           (.26 )     10.21       6.47       6,095       .29       .29       2.43  
8/31/2018     10.20       .18       (.32 )     (.14 )     (.19 )     (.03 )     (.22 )     9.84       (1.44 )     4,490       .30       .30       1.83  
8/31/2017     10.23       .14       .09       .23       (.17 )     (.09 )     (.26 )     10.20       2.33       3,227       .31       .31       1.40  
8/31/2016     10.22       .11       .22       .33       (.19 )     (.13 )     (.32 )     10.23       3.27       2,157       .31       .31       1.16  
8/31/2015     10.21       .08       .17       .25       (.14 )     (.10 )     (.24 )     10.22       2.48       1,553       .32       .32       .80  

 

    Year ended August 31,  
Portfolio turnover rate for all share classes13   2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  
Excluding mortgage dollar roll transactions     129 %     66 %     104 %     159 %     130 %
Including mortgage dollar roll transactions     605 %     1,009 %     635 %     1,041 %     1,205 %

 

1 Based on average shares outstanding.
2 Total returns exclude any applicable sales charges, including contingent deferred sales charges.
3 This column reflects the impact, if any, of certain reimbursements from CRMC. During some of the years shown, CRMC paid a portion of the fund’s transfer agent fees for certain retirement plan share classes.
4 Amount less than $.01.
5 All or a significant portion of assets in this class consisted of seed capital invested by CRMC and/or its affiliates. Fees for distribution services are not charged or accrued on these seed capital assets. If such fees were paid by the fund on seed capital assets, fund expenses would have been higher and net income and total return would have been lower.
6 Amount less than $1 million.
7 Based on operations for a period that is less than a full year.
8 Class T and 529-T shares began investment operations on April 7, 2017.
9 Not annualized.
10 Class F-3 shares began investment operations on January 27, 2017.
11 Annualized.
12 Class R-5E shares began investment operations on November 20, 2015.
13 Refer to Note 5 for more information on mortgage dollar rolls.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

American Funds Mortgage Fund 25
 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of American Funds Mortgage Fund

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the summary investment portfolio, of American Funds Mortgage Fund (the “Fund”) as of August 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year ended August 31, 2019, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2019, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of August 31, 2019, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2019 and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2019 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

Los Angeles, California
October 16, 2019

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in The Capital Group Companies Investment Company Complex since 1934.

 

26 American Funds Mortgage Fund

 
 

 

American Funds Mortgage Fund

 

 

Part C

Other Information

 

 

Item 28.Exhibits for Registration Statement (1940 Act No. 811-22449 and 1933 Act. No. 333-168595)

 

(a)Articles of Incorporation – Certificate of Trust dated 7/16/10 – previously filed (see Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 filed 10/12/10); and Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated 9/13/17 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 19 filed 10/31/17)

 

(b)By-laws – Amended and Restated By-laws effective 8/29/18 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 21 filed 10/31/18)

 

(c)Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders – None

 

(d)Investment Advisory Contracts – Form of Investment Advisory and Service Agreement dated 11/1/10 – previously filed (see Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 filed 10/12/10)

 

(e)Underwriting Contracts – Amended and Restated Principal Underwriting Agreement effective 4/7/17 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 19 filed 10/31/17); Form of Selling Group Agreement – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 19 filed 10/31/17); Form of Bank/Trust Company Selling Group Agreement – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 19 filed 10/31/17); Form of Class F Share Participation Agreement – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 19 filed 10/31/17); and Form of Bank/Trust Company Participation Agreement for Class F Shares – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 19 filed 10/31/17)

 

(f)Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts – Deferred Compensation Plan effective 3/31/19

 

(g)Custodian Agreements – Form of Global Custody Agreement – previously filed (see Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 filed 10/29/10)

 

(h-1)Other Material Contracts – Form of Indemnification Agreement – previously filed (see Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 filed 10/29/10); and Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement effective 1/1/18 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 21 filed 10/31/18)

 

(h-2)Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Agreement effective 4/7/17

 

(i)Legal Opinion – Legal Opinion – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 2 filed 10/29/10; P/E Amendment No. 7 filed 8/28/14; P/E Amendment No. 11 filed 10/29/15; P/E Amendment No. 15 filed 12/29/16; and P/E Amendment No. 17 filed 4/6/17)

 

(j)Other Opinions – Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 
 

(k)       Omitted financial statements – None

 

(l)Initial capital agreements – Initial capital agreements – previously filed (see Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 filed 10/29/10)

 

(m)Rule 12b-1 Plan – Forms of Plans of Distribution for Class A, C, F-1, 529-A, 529-C, 529-E, 529-F-1, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 shares – previously filed (see Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 filed 10/12/10); Form of Plan of Distribution for Class R-2E shares dated 8/29/14 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 7 filed 8/28/14); and Plans of Distribution for Class T Shares and Class 529-T Shares dated 4/7/17 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 19 filed 10/31/17)

 

(n)Rule 18f-3 Plan – Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan effective 1/1/18 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 21 filed 10/31/18)

 

(o)       Reserved

 

(p)Code of Ethics – Code of Ethics for The Capital Group Companies dated July 2019; and Code of Ethics for Registrant

 

 

Item 29.Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund

 

None

 

 

Item 30.Indemnification

 

The Registrant is a joint-insured under Investment Advisor/Mutual Fund Errors and Omissions Policies, which insure its officers and trustees against certain liabilities. However, in no event will Registrant maintain insurance to indemnify any such person for any act for which Registrant itself is not permitted to indemnify the individual.

 

Article 8 of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust as well as the indemnification agreements that the Registrant has entered into with each of its trustees who is not an “interested person” of the Registrant (as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended), provide in effect that the Registrant will indemnify its officers and trustees against any liability or expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in any proceeding arising out of or in connection with his or her service to the Registrant, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject to certain conditions. In accordance with Section 17(h) and 17(i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and their respective terms, these provisions do not protect any person against any liability to the Registrant or its shareholders to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses

 
 

incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

Registrant will comply with the indemnification requirements contained in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and Release Nos. 7221 (June 9, 1972) and 11330 (September 4, 1980).

 

 

Item 31.Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser

 

None

 

 

Item 32.Principal Underwriters

 

(a)        American Funds Distributors, Inc. is the Principal Underwriter of shares of: AMCAP Fund, American Balanced Fund, American Funds College Target Date Series, American Funds Corporate Bond Fund, American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund, American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund, American Funds Fundamental Investors, American Funds Global Balanced Fund, The American Funds Income Series, American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund, American Funds Mortgage Fund, American Funds Portfolio Series, American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series, American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, American Funds Strategic Bond Fund, American Funds Target Date Retirement Series, American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York, The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II, American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund, American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund, American High-Income Trust, American Mutual Fund, The Bond Fund of America, Capital Group Emerging Markets Total Opportunities Fund, Capital Income Builder, Capital Group Private Client Services Funds, Capital World Bond Fund, Capital World Growth and Income Fund, Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc., EuroPacific Growth Fund, The Growth Fund of America, The Income Fund of America, Intermediate Bond Fund of America, International Growth and Income Fund, The Investment Company of America, Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America, The New Economy Fund, New Perspective Fund, New World Fund, Inc., Short-Term Bond Fund of America, SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc., The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America and Washington Mutual Investors Fund

 

(b)

 

 

(1)

Name and Principal

Business Address

 

(2)

Positions and Offices

with Underwriter

(3)

Positions and Offices

with Registrant

LAO

C. Thomas Akin II

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Christopher S. Anast

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
 
 

 

LAO

William C. Anderson

 

 

Director, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer None
LAO

Dion T. Angelopoulos

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Luis F. Arocha

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Keith D. Ashley

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Curtis A. Baker

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

T. Patrick Bardsley

 

Vice President None
SNO

Mark C. Barile

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Shakeel A. Barkat

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Antonio M. Bass

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Brett A. Beach

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Katherine A. Beattie

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Scott G. Beckerman

 

Vice President None
LAO

Bethann Beiermeister

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Jeb M. Bent

 

Vice President None
LAO

Matthew D. Benton

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Jerry R. Berg

 

Vice President None
LAO

Joseph W. Best, Jr.

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Roger J. Bianco, Jr.

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Ryan M. Bickle

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Peter D. Bjork

 

Regional Vice President None
 
 

 

LAO

Marek Blaskovic

 

Vice President None
LAO

Matthew C. Bloemer

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Jeffrey E. Blum

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Gerard M. Bockstie, Jr.

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Jon T. Boldt

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Jill M. Boudreau

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Andre W. Bouvier

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Michael A. Bowman

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Jordan C. Bowers

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

David H. Bradin

 

Vice President None
LAO

William P. Brady

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

William G. Bridge

 

Vice President None
IND

Robert W. Brinkman

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Jeffrey R. Brooks

 

Vice President None
LAO

Kevin G. Broulette

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division

 

None
LAO

E. Chapman Brown, Jr.

 

Vice President None
LAO

Toni L. Brown

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO Elizabeth S. Brownlow

Assistant Vice President

 

None
 
 

 

IND

Jennifer A. Bruce

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Gary D. Bryce

 

Vice President None
LAO

Ronan J. Burke

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Steven Calabria

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Thomas E. Callahan

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Matthew S. Cameron

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Anthony J. Camilleri

 

Vice President None
LAO

Kelly V. Campbell

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Anthon S. Cannon III

 

Vice President None
LAO

Kevin J. Carevic

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Jason S. Carlough

 

Vice President None
LAO

Kim R. Carney

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Damian F. Carroll

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

James D. Carter

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Stephen L. Caruthers

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division

 

None
SFO

James G. Carville

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division

 

None
LAO

Philip L. Casciano

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Brian C. Casey

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Christopher M. Cefalo

 

Vice President

 

None
LAO

Joseph M. Cella

 

Regional Vice President None
 
 

 

LAO

Kent W. Chan

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division

 

None
LAO

Thomas M. Charon

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO Ibrahim Chaudry

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division

 

None
SNO Marcus L. Chaves

Assistant Vice President

 

None
LAO

Daniel A. Chodosch

 

Vice President None
LAO

Wellington Choi

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Andrew T. Christos

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Paul A. Cieslik

 

Senior Vice President None
IND

G. Michael Cisternino

 

Vice President None
LAO

Andrew R. Claeson

 

Vice President None
LAO

Michael J. Clark

 

Regional Vice President None
IND

David A. Clase

 

Vice President None
LAO

Jamie A. Claypool

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Kyle R. Coffey

 

Regional Vice President None
IND

Timothy J. Colvin

 

Regional Vice President None
SNO

Brandon J Cone

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Christopher M. Conwell

 

Vice President None
LAO

C. Jeffrey Cook

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Greggory J. Cowan

 

Regional Vice President None
 
 

 

LAO

Joseph G. Cronin

 

Senior Vice President None
IND

Jill R. Cross

 

Vice President None
LAO

D. Erick Crowdus

 

Vice President None
SNO Zachary A. Cutkomp

Assistant Vice President

 

None
LAO

Hanh M. Dao

 

Vice President None
LAO

Alex L. DaPron

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

William F. Daugherty

 

Senior Vice President None
SNO

Bradley C. Davis

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Scott T. Davis

 

Vice President None
LAO

Shane L. Davis

 

Vice President None
LAO

Peter J. Deavan

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Kristofer J. DeBonville

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Guy E. Decker

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Daniel Delianedis

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Mark A. Dence

 

Senior Vice President None
SNO

Brian M. Derrico

 

Vice President None
LAO

Stephen Deschenes

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Alexander J. Diorio

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Mario P. DiVito

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Joanne H. Dodd

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Kevin F. Dolan

 

Senior Vice President None
 
 

 

LAO

John H. Donovan IV

 

Vice President None
LAO

Ronald Q. Dottin

 

Vice President  
LAO

John J. Doyle

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Ryan T. Doyle

 

Vice President None
SNO

Melissa A. Dreyer

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Craig Duglin

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Alan J. Dumas

 

Regional Vice President None
SNO

Bryan K. Dunham

 

Vice President None
LAO

Sean P. Durkin

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

John E. Dwyer IV

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
IND

Karyn B. Dzurisin

 

Vice President None
LAO

Kevin C. Easley

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Damian Eckstein

 

Vice President None
LAO

Matthew J. Eisenhardt

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Timothy L. Ellis

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

John A. Erickson

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Riley O. Etheridge, Jr.

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

E. Luke Farrell

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Bryan R. Favilla

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Joseph M. Fazio

 

Regional Vice President None
 
 

 

LAO

Mark A. Ferraro

 

Vice President None
LAO

Brandon J. Fetta

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Kevin H. Folks

 

Vice President None
LAO

David R. Ford

 

Vice President None
LAO

William E. Ford

 

Vice President None
LAO

Steven M. Fox

 

Vice President None
LAO

Daniel Frick

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Tyler L. Furek

 

Regional Vice President None
SNO

Arturo V. Garcia, Jr.

 

Vice President None
LAO

J. Gregory Garrett

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
SNO

Edward S. Garza

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Brian K. Geiger

 

Vice President None
LAO

Leslie B. Geller

 

Vice President None
LAO

Jacob M. Gerber

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

J. Christopher Gies

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Pamela A. Gillett

 

Regional Vice President

 

None
LAO

William F. Gilmartin

 

Vice President None
LAO

Kathleen D. Golden

 

Regional Vice President None
SNO

Craig B. Gray

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Robert E. Greeley, Jr.

 

Vice President None
LAO

Jameson R. Greenstone

 

Regional Vice President None
 
 

 

LAO

Jeffrey J. Greiner

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Eric M. Grey

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Karen M. Griffin

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

E. Renee Grimm

 

Senior Vice President

 

None
LAO

Scott A. Grouten

 

Regional Vice President None
SNO

Virginia Guevara

 

Assistant Vice President None
IRV

Steven Guida

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Sam S. Gumma

 

Vice President None
LAO

Jan S. Gunderson

 

Senior Vice President None
SNO

Lori L. Guy

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Ralph E. Haberli

 

Senior Vice President; Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division

 

None
LAO

Paul B. Hammond

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Philip E. Haning

 

Vice President None
LAO

Dale K. Hanks

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

David R. Hanna

 

Vice President None
LAO

Brandon S. Hansen

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Julie O. Hansen

 

Vice President None
LAO

Kenneth J. Hargreaves

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

John R. Harley

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Calvin L. Harrelson III

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
 
 

 

LAO

Robert J. Hartig, Jr.

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Craig W. Hartigan

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Alan M. Heaton

 

Vice President None
LAO

Clifford W. “Webb” Heidinger

 

Vice President None
LAO

Brock A. Hillman

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division

 

None
IND Kristin S. Himsel

Regional Vice President

 

None
LAO

Jennifer M. Hoang

 

Vice President None
LAO

Jessica K. Hooyenga

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Heidi B. Horwitz-Marcus

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

David R. Hreha

 

Vice President None
LAO

Frederic J. Huber

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

David K. Hummelberg

 

 

 

 

Director, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer None
LAO

Jeffrey K. Hunkins

 

Vice President None
LAO

Angelia G. Hunter

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Christa M. Iacono

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Marc G. Ialeggio

 

Senior Vice President None
IND

David K. Jacocks

 

Vice President None
LAO

Maurice E. Jadah

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

W. Chris Jenkins

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Daniel J. Jess II

 

Vice President None
IND

Jameel S. Jiwani

 

Regional Vice President None
 
 

 

LAO

Brendan M. Jonland

 

Vice President None
LAO

Kathryn H. Jordan

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

David G. Jordt

 

Vice President

 

None
LAO

Stephen T. Joyce

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Wassan M. Kasey

 

Vice President None
LAO

John P. Keating

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

David B. Keib

 

Vice President None
LAO

Brian G. Kelly

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Christopher J. Kennedy

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Jason A. Kerr

 

Vice President None
LAO

Ryan C. Kidwell

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Nora A. Kilaghbian

 

Vice President None
IRV

Michael C. Kim

 

Vice President None
LAO

Charles A. King

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Mark Kistler

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Stephen J. Knutson

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Michael J. Koch

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

James M. Kreider

 

Vice President None
LAO

Andrew M. Kruger

 

Regional Vice President None
SNO

David D. Kuncho

 

Vice President None
 
 

 

LAO

Richard M. Lang

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Christopher F. Lanzafame

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Andrew P. Laskowski

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Matthew N. Leeper

 

Vice President None
LAO

Clay M. Leveritt

 

Vice President None
LAO Lorin E. Liesy

Senior Vice President

 

None
IND Justin L. Linder

Assistant Vice President

 

None
LAO

Louis K. Linquata

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Heather M. Lord

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Peter K. Maddox

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

James M. Maher

 

Vice President None
LAO

Brendan T. Mahoney

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Nathan G. Mains

 

Vice President None
LAO

Jeffrey N. Malbasa

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Usma A. Malik

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Brooke M. Marrujo

 

Vice President None
LAO

Kristan N. Martin

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

J. T. Masteller

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Stephen B. May

 

Vice President None
LAO

Joseph A. McCreesh, III

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Ross M. McDonald

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Timothy W. McHale

 

Secretary None
 
 

 

SNO Michael J. McLaughlin

Assistant Vice President

 

None
LAO

Max J. McQuiston

 

Vice President None
LAO

Scott M. Meade

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Paulino Medina

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Christopher J. Meek

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Britney L. Melvin

 

Vice President None
LAO

Simon Mendelson

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

David A. Merrill

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Conrad F. Metzger

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Benjamin J. Miller

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Jennifer M. Miller

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO Tammy H. Miller

Vice President

 

None
LAO

William T. Mills

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Sean C. Minor

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Louis W. Minora

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

James R. Mitchell III

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Charles L. Mitsakos

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Robert P. Moffett III

 

Vice President None
IND

Eric E. Momcilovich

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

David H. Morrison

 

Vice President None
LAO

Andrew J. Moscardini

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
NYO

Timothy J. Murphy

 

Senior Vice President None
 
 

 

LAO

Christina M. Neal

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Jon C. Nicolazzo

 

Vice President None
LAO

Earnest M. Niemi

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

William E. Noe

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Matthew P. O’Connor

 

 

 

 

Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division

 

None
IND

Jody L. O’Dell

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Jonathan H. O’Flynn

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Peter A. Olsen

 

Vice President None
LAO

Jeffrey A. Olson

 

Vice President None
LAO

Thomas A. O’Neil

 

Senior Vice President None
IRV

Paula A. Orologas

 

Vice President None
LAO

Gregory H. Ortman

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Shawn M. O’Sullivan

 

Senior Vice President None
IND

Lance T. Owens

 

Vice President None
LAO

Kristina E. Page

 

Vice President None
LAO

Rodney Dean Parker II

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Ingrid S. Parl

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

William D. Parsley

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Lynn M. Patrick

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
 
 

 

LAO

Timothy C. Patterson

 

Vice President None
LAO

W. Burke Patterson, Jr.

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Gary A. Peace

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Robert J. Peche

 

Vice President None
LAO

David K. Petzke

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Harry A. Phinney

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division

 

None
LAO

Adam W. Phillips

 

Vice President None
LAO

Joseph M. Piccolo

 

Vice President None
LAO

Keith A. Piken

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Carl S. Platou

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

David T. Polak

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Michael E. Pollgreen

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Charles R. Porcher

 

Senior Vice President None
SNO

Robert B. Potter III

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Darrell W. Pounders

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Steven J. Quagrello

 

Senior Vice President None
IND

Kelly S. Quick

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Michael R. Quinn

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Ryan E. Radtke

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

James R. Raker

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
 
 

 

LAO

Sunder R. Ramkumar

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Rachel M. Ramos

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Rene M. Reincke

 

Vice President None
LAO

Michael D. Reynaert

 

Regional Vice President None
IND Richard Rhymaun

Vice President

 

None
LAO

Christopher J. Richardson

 

Vice President None
SNO

Stephanie A. Robichaud

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Jeffrey J. Robinson

 

Vice President None
LAO

Matthew M. Robinson

 

Vice President None
LAO Bethany M. Rodenhuis

Senior Vice President

 

None
LAO

Rochelle C. Rodriguez

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Melissa B. Roe

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Thomas W. Rose

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
SNO

Tracy M. Roth

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Rome D. Rottura

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Shane A. Russell

 

Vice President None
LAO

William M. Ryan

 

Senior Vice President None
IND

Brenda S. Rynski

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Richard A. Sabec, Jr.

 

Senior Vice President None
SNO

Richard R. Salinas

 

Vice President None
LAO

Paul V. Santoro

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Keith A. Saunders

 

Vice President None
 
 

 

LAO

Joe D. Scarpitti

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Michael A. Schweitzer

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO Domenic A. Sciarra

Assistant Vice President

 

None
LAO

Mark A. Seaman

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

James J. Sewell III

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Arthur M. Sgroi

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Nathan W. Simmons

 

Vice President None
LAO

Melissa A. Sloane

 

Vice President None
LAO

Joshua J. Smith

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Taylor D. Smith

 

Regional Vice President None
SNO

Stacy D. Smolka

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Stephanie L. Smolka

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

J. Eric Snively

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

John A. Sobotowski

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Charles V. Sosa

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Kristen J. Spazafumo

 

Vice President None
LAO

Margaret V. Steinbach

 

Vice President None
LAO

Michael P. Stern

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Andrew J. Strandquist

 

Vice President

 

None
LAO

Allison M. Straub

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Kevin K. Suen

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

John R. Sulzicki

 

Regional Vice President None
 
 

 

LAO

Peter D. Thatch

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

John B. Thomas

 

Vice President None
LAO

Cynthia M. Thompson

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
IND

Scott E. Thompson

 

Assistant Vice President None
HRO

Stephen B. Thompson

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Mark R. Threlfall

 

Vice President None
LAO

Ryan D. Tiernan

 

Vice President None
LAO

Emily R. Tillman

 

Vice President None
LAO

Russell W. Tipper

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Luke N. Trammell

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Jordan A. Trevino

 

Vice President None
LAO

Michael J. Triessl

 

Director None
LAO

Shaun C. Tucker

 

Senior Vice President None
IND

Ryan C. Tyson

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Jason A. Uberti

 

Vice President None
LAO

David E. Unanue

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

John W. Urbanski

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Idoya Urrutia

 

Vice President None
LAO

Scott W. Ursin-Smith

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Joe M. Valencia

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Patrick D. Vance

 

Vice President None
LAO Veronica Vasquez

Assistant Vice President

 

None
 
 

 

LAO-W Gerrit Veerman III

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services

 

None
LAO

Srinkanth Vemuri

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Spilios Venetsanopoulos

 

Vice President None
LAO

J. David Viale

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Robert D. Vigneaux III

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Jayakumar Vijayanathan

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Julie A. Vogel

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Todd R. Wagner

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Jon N. Wainman

 

Vice President None
LAO

Sherrie S. Walling

 

Vice President None
LAO

Brian M. Walsh

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Susan O. Walton

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
SNO

Chris L. Wammack

 

Vice President None
LAO

Matthew W. Ward

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Thomas E. Warren

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

George J. Wenzel

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Jason M. Weybrecht

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Adam B. Whitehead

 

Vice President None
 
 

 

LAO

N. Dexter Williams

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Jonathan D. Wilson

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Steven Wilson

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Steven C. Wilson

 

Vice President None
LAO

Kimberly D. Wood

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Kurt A. Wuestenberg

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Jonathan A. Young

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Jason P. Young

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Raul Zarco, Jr.

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
IND

Ellen M. Zawacki

 

Vice President None
LAO Connie R. Zeender

Regional Vice President

 

None

 

__________

GVO-1 Business Address, 3 Place des Bergues, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
HRO Business Address, 5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, VA 23513
IND Business Address, 12811 North Meridian Street, Carmel, IN 46032
IRV Business Address, 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618
LAO Business Address, 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA  90071
LAO-W Business Address, 11100 Santa Monica Blvd., 15th Floor, Los Angeles, CA  90025
NYO Business Address, 630 Fifth Avenue, 36th Floor, New York, NY 10111
SFO Business Address, One Market, Steuart Tower, Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94105
SNO Business Address, 3500 Wiseman Boulevard, San Antonio, TX  78251

 

(c)       None

 

 

 
 
Item 33.Location of Accounts and Records

 

Accounts, books and other records required by Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, are maintained and kept in the offices of the Registrant’s investment adviser, Capital Research and Management Company, 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071; 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, California 92618; and/or 5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, Virginia 23513.

 

Registrant’s records covering shareholder accounts are maintained and kept by its transfer agent, American Funds Service Company, 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, California 92618; 12811 North Meridian Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032; 3500 Wiseman Boulevard, San Antonio, Texas 78251; and 5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, Virginia 23513.

 

Registrant’s records covering portfolio transactions are maintained and kept by its custodian, Bank of New York – Mellon, One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286.

 

 

Item 34.Management Services

 

None

 

 

Item 35.Undertakings

 

n/a

 
 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Los Angeles, and State of California, on the 30th day of October, 2019.

 

AMERICAN FUNDS MORTGAGE FUND

 

By: /s/ Kristine M. Nishiyama

(Kristine M. Nishiyama, Executive Vice President)

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below on October 30, 2019, by the following persons in the capacities indicated.

 

  Signature Title
(1) Principal Executive Officer:
  /s/ Kristine M. Nishiyama Executive Vice President
  (Kristine M. Nishiyama)
 
(2) Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer:
  /s/ Brian C. Janssen Treasurer
  (Brian C. Janssen)
 
(3) Trustees:
  William H. Baribault* Trustee
  James G. Ellis* Trustee
  Nariman Farvardin* Trustee
  Michael C. Gitlin* Trustee
  Mary Davis Holt* Trustee
  R. Clark Hooper* Trustee
  Merit E. Janow* Trustee
  Margaret Spellings* Chairman of the Board (Independent and Non-Executive)
  Alexandra Trower* Trustee
  Karl J. Zeile* Trustee
  *By: /s/ Steven I. Koszalka  
  (Steven I. Koszalka, pursuant to a power of attorney filed herewith)

 

Counsel represents that this amendment does not contain disclosures that would make the amendment ineligible for effectiveness under the provisions of Rule 485(b).

 

/s/ Jae Won Chung

(Jae Won Chung, Counsel)

 

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, William H. Baribault, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-American Balanced Fund (File No. 002-10758, File No. 811-00066)
-American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund (File No. 333-190913, File No. 811-22881)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund (File No. 333-208636; File No. 811-23122)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-American Funds Insurance Series
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Multi-Sector Income Fund (File No. 333-228995, File No. 811-23409)
-American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series (File No. 333-203797, File No. 811-23053)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital Group Central Fund Series – Capital Group Central Cash Fund (File No. 811-23391)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-The Income Fund of America (File No. 002-33371, File No. 811-01880)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-International Growth and Income Fund (File No. 333-152323, File No. 811-22215)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Laurie D. Neat

Michael W. Stockton

Courtney R. Taylor

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Brian D. Bullard

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Hong Le

Gregory F. Niland

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 4th day of March, 2019.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ William H. Baribault

William H. Baribault, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, James G. Ellis, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-AMCAP Fund (File No. 002-26516, File No. 811-01435)
-American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund (File No. 333-208636; File No. 811-23122)
-American Funds Global Balanced Fund (File No. 333-170605, File No. 811-22496)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-American Funds Insurance Series
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Multi-Sector Income Fund (File No. 333-228995, File No. 811-23409)
-American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series (File No. 333-203797, File No. 811-23053)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-American Mutual Fund (File No. 002-10607, File No. 811-00572)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital Group Central Fund Series – Capital Group Central Cash Fund (File No. 811-23391)
-Capital Group Emerging Markets Total Opportunities Fund (File No. 333-176635, File No. 811-22605)
-Capital Group Private Client Services Funds (File No. 333-163115, File No. 811-22349)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (File No. 333-74995, File No. 811-04692)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-The Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No. 811-00116)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Laurie D. Neat

Michael W. Stockton

Courtney R. Taylor

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Brian D. Bullard

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Hong Le

Gregory F. Niland

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 4th day of March, 2019.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ James G. Ellis

James G. Ellis, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, Nariman Farvardin, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund (File No. 333-208636; File No. 811-23122)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-American Funds Insurance Series
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Multi-Sector Income Fund (File No. 333-228995, File No. 811-23409)
-American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series (File No. 333-203797, File No. 811-23053)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital Group Central Fund Series – Capital Group Central Cash Fund (File No. 811-23391)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)
-Washington Mutual Investors Fund (File No. 002-11051, File No. 811-00604)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Laurie D. Neat

Michael W. Stockton

Courtney R. Taylor

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Brian D. Bullard

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Hong Le

Gregory F. Niland

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 4th day of March, 2019.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Nariman Farvardin

Nariman Farvardin, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, Michael C. Gitlin, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund (File No. 333-208636; File No. 811-23122)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-American Funds Insurance Series
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Multi-Sector Income Fund (File No. 333-228995, File No. 811-23409)
-American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series (File No. 333-203797, File No. 811-23053)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital Group Central Fund Series – Capital Group Central Cash Fund (File No. 811-23391)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Laurie D. Neat

Michael W. Stockton

Courtney R. Taylor

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Brian D. Bullard

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Hong Le

Gregory F. Niland

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 4th day of March, 2019.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Michael C. Gitlin

Michael C. Gitlin, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, Mary Davis Holt, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund (File No. 333-208636; File No. 811-23122)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-American Funds Insurance Series
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Multi-Sector Income Fund (File No. 333-228995, File No. 811-23409)
-American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series (File No. 333-203797, File No. 811-23053)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital Group Central Fund Series – Capital Group Central Cash Fund (File No. 811-23391)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)
-Washington Mutual Investors Fund (File No. 002-11051, File No. 811-00604)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Laurie D. Neat

Michael W. Stockton

Courtney R. Taylor

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Brian D. Bullard

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Hong Le

Gregory F. Niland

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 4th day of March, 2019.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Mary Davis Holt

Mary Davis Holt, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, R. Clark Hooper, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund (File No. 333-208636; File No. 811-23122)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-American Funds Insurance Series
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Multi-Sector Income Fund (File No. 333-228995, File No. 811-23409)
-American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series (File No. 333-203797, File No. 811-23053)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital Group Central Fund Series – Capital Group Central Cash Fund (File No. 811-23391)
-Capital Income Builder (File No. 033-12967, File No. 811-05085)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-Capital World Growth and Income Fund (File No. 033-54444, File No. 811-07338)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-The New Economy Fund (File No. 002-83848, File No. 811-03735)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)
-Washington Mutual Investors Fund (File No. 002-11051, File No. 811-00604)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Laurie D. Neat

Michael W. Stockton

Courtney R. Taylor

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Brian D. Bullard

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Hong Le

Gregory F. Niland

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 4th day of March, 2019.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ R. Clark Hooper

R. Clark Hooper, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, Merit E. Janow, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund (File No. 333-208636; File No. 811-23122)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-American Funds Insurance Series
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Multi-Sector Income Fund (File No. 333-228995, File No. 811-23409)
-American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series (File No. 333-203797, File No. 811-23053)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital Group Central Fund Series – Capital Group Central Cash Fund (File No. 811-23391)
-Capital Income Builder (File No. 033-12967, File No. 811-05085)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-Capital World Growth and Income Fund (File No. 033-54444, File No. 811-07338)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-The New Economy Fund (File No. 002-83848, File No. 811-03735)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Laurie D. Neat

Michael W. Stockton

Courtney R. Taylor

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Brian D. Bullard

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Hong Le

Gregory F. Niland

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 4th day of March, 2019.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Merit E. Janow

Merit E. Janow, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, Margaret Spellings, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-American Balanced Fund (File No. 002-10758, File No. 811-00066)
-American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund (File No. 333-190913, File No. 811-22881)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund (File No. 333-208636; File No. 811-23122)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-American Funds Insurance Series
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Multi-Sector Income Fund (File No. 333-228995, File No. 811-23409)
-American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series (File No. 333-203797, File No. 811-23053)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital Group Central Fund Series – Capital Group Central Cash Fund (File No. 811-23391)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-The Income Fund of America (File No. 002-33371, File No. 811-01880)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-International Growth and Income Fund (File No. 333-152323, File No. 811-22215)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)
-Washington Mutual Investors Fund (File No. 002-11051, File No. 811-00604)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Laurie D. Neat

Michael W. Stockton

Courtney R. Taylor

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Brian D. Bullard

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Hong Le

Gregory F. Niland

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 4th day of March, 2019.

(City, State)

 

/s/ Margaret Spellings

Margaret Spellings, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, Alexandra Trower, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund (File No. 333-208636; File No. 811-23122)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-American Funds Insurance Series
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Multi-Sector Income Fund (File No. 333-228995, File No. 811-23409)
-American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series (File No. 333-203797, File No. 811-23053)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital Group Central Fund Series – Capital Group Central Cash Fund (File No. 811-23391)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Laurie D. Neat

Michael W. Stockton

Courtney R. Taylor

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Brian D. Bullard

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Hong Le

Gregory F. Niland

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 4th day of March, 2019.

(City, State)

 

 

/s Alexandra Trower

Alexandra Trower, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, Karl J. Zeile, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund (File No. 333-208636; File No. 811-23122)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Multi-Sector Income Fund (File No. 333-228995, File No. 811-23409)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital Group Central Fund Series – Capital Group Central Cash Fund (File No. 811-23391)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Laurie D. Neat

Michael W. Stockton

Courtney R. Taylor

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Brian D. Bullard

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Hong Le

Gregory F. Niland

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 4th day of March, 2019.

(City, State)

 

 

/s Karl J. Zeile

Karl J. Zeile, Board member

 

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

(Amended and restated, effective as of March 31, 2019)

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Paragraph Title Page No
1. Definitions 2
2. Introduction 5
3. Plan Oversight; Administration and Amendment 5
  3.1. Plan Oversight and Operation 5
  3.2. Plan Interpretation and Administration 5
  3.3. Plan Amendment 5
  3.4. Plan Termination 6
4. Election to Defer Payments   6
  4.1. Election to Defer 6
  4.2. Current Independent Board Members 6
    4.2.a. Newly Elected or Appointed Independent Board Members 6
  4.3. Modification or Revocation of Election to Defer 6
5. Beneficiary Designation 6
     
6. Deferred Payment Account 7
  6.1. Crediting Amounts 7
  6.2. Change of Investment Designation 7
  6.3. Exchange Requests 7
  6.4. Plan Participants Serving on Money Market Fund Boards 8
  6.5. Plan Participant Electing Installment Payout Option under Section 7.4.a 8
    6.5a Alternative Instructions under Section 6.5 8
7. Timing and Manner of Payments 8
  7.1. Timing of Payments 8
  7.2. Manner of Payment – Lump Sum 8
  7.3. Alternative Payment Methods 9
  7.4. Death of Plan Participant 9
    7.4.a Optional Payment Method upon Death for Post-2004 Deferrals 9
  7.5. Disability of Plan Participant 10
  7.6. Unforeseeable Emergency 10
  7.7. Modification or Revocation for Post-2004 Deferrals 10
    7.7.a. Special Transition Rule 11
  7.8. Modification or Revocation for Pre-2005 Deferrals 11
8. Miscellaneous 11
 
 

 

1.               DEFINITIONS

 

1.1.       Administrator. An individual designated by CRMC to process forms and receive Plan related communications from Plan Participants and otherwise assist the Committee in the administration of the Plan.

 

1.2.       Beneficiary(ies). The person or persons last designated in writing by a Plan Participant in accordance with procedures established by the Committee to receive the amounts payable under the Plan in the event of the Plan Participant’s death. A Plan Participant may designate a Primary Beneficiary(ies) to receive amounts payable under the Plan upon the Plan Participant’s death. A Plan Participant may also name a Contingent Beneficiary(ies) to receive amounts payable under the Plan upon the Participant’s death if there is no surviving Primary Beneficiary(ies).

 

1.3.       Board(s). The Board of Directors or Trustees of a Fund(s).

 

1.4.       Committee. A group of Independent Board Members responsible for oversight and operation of the Plan. The Committee must consist of a minimum of three members, each currently serving as an Independent Board Member of at least one Fund. Each Fund, by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of its Board (including a majority of the Fund’s Independent Board Members) shall appoint the initial members of the Committee. Thereafter, the Committee shall determine its membership by majority vote.

 

1.5.       CRMC. Capital Research and Management Company.

 

1.6. Date of Crediting. The Date of Crediting for compensation deferred by a Plan Participant will be as soon as administratively practicable after the date such compensation would otherwise be paid.

 

1.7.       Deferred Payment Account(s). An account established in the name of the Plan Participant on the books of each Fund serviced by the Plan Participant. Such account shall reflect the number of Phantom Shares credited to the Plan Participant under the Plan.

  (i) A Deferred Payment Account will be divided into two separate Deferred Payment Accounts. One account will contain deferrals made prior to January 1, 2005, including any earnings thereon (“pre-2005 deferrals”). The other account will contain deferrals made on or after January 1, 2005, including any earnings thereon (“post-2004 deferrals”).
  (ii) For those participants residing outside the U.S., Deferred Payment Accounts will further be divided into two separate accounts, “U.S.” and “Non-U.S.,” to provide appropriate tax reporting.

 

1.8.       Disabled or Disability. A Plan Participant is disabled when he or she is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

 
 

1.9.       Election Forms. The three forms listed below as prescribed by the Administrator:

  (i) Beneficiary Designation Form. A form indicating the beneficiary designations of a Plan Participant.
  (ii) Deferral Election Form. A form indicating the compensation to be deferred under the Plan and the timing and manner of distribution. This form must be filed with the Administrator prior to the first day of the calendar year to which it first applies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any person who is first elected or appointed an Independent Board Member of the Fund may file this form before or within 30 days after first becoming an Independent Board Member.
  (iii) Rate of Return Election Form. A form indicating the percentages of deferrals allocated to each Fund.

 

1.10.       Fixed Dollar Installment Method. One of the two alternative methods to a lump-sum available for payments under the Plan other than for reasons of death, Disability or Unforeseeable Emergency. The amount of each installment shall equal the fixed dollar amount previously selected by the Plan Participant on the Deferral Election Form. A Plan Participant’s Deferred Payment Account subject to the Fixed Dollar Installment method shall be adjusted by the amount of each such installment payment by reducing the number of Phantom Shares of each Fund credited to the Deferred Payment Account using the net asset values per Class F-2 share as of the last day of the calendar quarter immediately preceding the date of payment. These reductions shall occur proportionately so that, with respect to each such Fund, the ratio of the value of all Phantom Shares of the Fund to the value of the Deferred Payment Account shall remain the same before and after each installment payment.

 

1.11.       Fund(s). A mutual fund advised by CRMC, collectively the “Funds.”

 

1.12.       Independent Board Member(s). Directors or trustees, and as applicable, advisory board members and director or trustee emeriti who are not considered “interested persons” of any Participating Fund.

 

1.13       Money Market Fund. A mutual fund managed by CRMC that invests solely in money market instruments.

 

1.14.       Participating Funds. Mutual funds managed by CRMC that have adopted the Plan.

 

1.15.       Permissible Payment Event. A Permissible Payment Event is any one of the following:

  (i) The date specified on the Deferral Election Form by the Plan Participant that is objectively determinable at the time compensation is deferred under the Plan and is at least twenty-four months past the date of the first deferral election made by the Plan Participant; or
 
 
  (ii) The date on which the Plan Participant is no longer an Independent Board Member of any Fund; or
  (iii) The date the Plan Participant dies; or
  (iv) The date the Administrator receives notification that the Plan Participant is Disabled; or
  (v) The date the Committee determines that the Plan Participant has an Unforeseeable Emergency; or
  (vi) For pre-2005 deferrals only, a distribution event permissible under the terms of the Plan in effect on January 1, 2004.

 

1.16.       Phantom Shares. Fictional shares of the Fund(s) that a Plan Participant has selected on the Rate of Return Election Form that have been credited to his or her Deferred Payment Account(s). Phantom Shares shall have the same economic characteristics as actual Class F-2 shares in terms of mirroring changes in net asset value and reflecting corporate actions (including, without limitation, receipt of dividends and capital gains distributions). However, because Phantom Shares are fictional, they shall not entitle any Plan Participant to vote on matters of any sort, including those affecting the Funds.

 

1.17.       Plan or Deferred Compensation Plan. The deferred compensation plan adopted by the Participating Funds.

 

1.18.       Plan Participant(s). An Independent Board Member who has elected to defer compensation under the Plan, or is receiving payments under the Plan in respect of prior service as an Independent Board Member.

 

1.19.       Unforeseeable Emergency. The following events may constitute an Unforeseeable Emergency under the Plan: (i) severe financial hardship of the Plan Participant or his or her Beneficiary(ies) resulting from illness or accident of the Plan Participant or Beneficiary(ies) and such spouses or dependents of the Plan Participant or Beneficiary(ies); (ii) loss of the Plan Participant’s or Beneficiary(ies)’ property due to casualty or (iii) similar extraordinary unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of the Plan Participant or the Beneficiary(ies). The Committee, in its sole discretion, will determine if the Plan Participant has an Unforeseeable Emergency, after taking into account the extent to which such Unforeseeable Emergency is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise or by liquidation of the Plan Participant's assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause an Unforeseeable Emergency).

 

1.20.       Variable Dollar Installment Method. One of the two alternative methods to a lump-sum available for payments under the Plan other than for reasons of death, Disability or Unforeseeable Emergency. The amount of each installment shall be determined for a Deferred Payment Account by multiplying the number of Phantom Shares of a Fund(s) allocated to the Deferred Payment Account by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be one and the denominator of which shall be the then remaining number of unpaid installments (including the installment then to be paid), and multiplying the resulting number of Phantom Shares by the net asset value per

 
 

Class F-2 share of such Fund(s) as of the last day of the calendar quarter immediately preceding the date of payment. A Plan Participant’s Deferred Payment Account subject to the Variable Dollar Installment method shall be adjusted by the amount of each such installment payment by reducing the number of Phantom Shares of each Fund credited to the Deferred Payment Account. These reductions shall occur proportionately so that, with respect to each such Fund, the ratio of the value of all Phantom Shares of the Fund to the value of the Deferred Payment Account shall remain the same before and after each installment payment. For this purpose, net asset values per Class F-2 share as of the last day of the calendar quarter immediately preceding the date of payment shall be used in calculating pre- and post-payment values.

 

 

2.               INTRODUCTION

 

With effect on January 1, 2005, each Participating Fund has adopted, by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of its Board (including a majority of its Board members who are not interested persons of the mutual fund), this Plan for Independent Board Members.

 

 

3.               PLAN OVERSIGHT; ADMINISTRATION AND AMENDMENT

 

3.1.       Plan Oversight and Operation. The Committee shall enforce the Plan in accordance with its terms, shall be charged with the general administration of the Plan, and shall have all powers necessary to accomplish its purposes. The Committee may utilize the services of the Administrator to conduct routine Plan administration.

 

3.2.       Plan Interpretation and Administration. The Committee shall have full discretion to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan, which interpretation or construction shall be final and binding on all parties, including, but not limited to, the Funds and any Plan Participant or Beneficiary. The Committee shall administer such terms and provisions in a uniform and non-discriminatory manner and in full accordance with any and all laws and regulations applicable to the Plan.

 

3.3.        Plan Amendment. The Committee may approve any amendment to the Plan; provided, however, (i) that no such amendment shall adversely affect the right of Plan Participants to receive amounts previously credited to their Deferred Payment Accounts; and (ii) each Independent Board Member shall receive notification of any such proposed amendment to the Plan at least ten (10) days prior to the Committee’s consideration of such amendment. Upon receipt of such notification, an Independent Board Member may communicate to the Committee for its consideration any concern or objection to the proposed amendment.

 

 
 

3.4.        Plan Termination. The Committee may recommend to the Boards the termination of the Plan; provided, however, that no such termination shall adversely affect the right of Plan Participants to receive amounts previously credited to their Deferred Payment Accounts.

 

 

4.               ELECTION TO DEFER PAYMENTS
  5.  

 

4.1.       Election to Defer. Pursuant to the Plan, Independent Board Members may elect to have all or any portion of payment of their compensation deferred as provided herein. An Independent Board Member who elects to participate in the Plan shall file copies of the Election Forms with the Administrator. An Independent Board Member will not be treated as a Plan Participant and no amount will be deferred under the Plan until the Election Forms are received by the Administrator and determined by the Administrator to be complete and in good order.

 

4.2.       Current Independent Board Members. A deferral election made by a Plan Participant who timely files the Election Forms with the Administrator shall become effective and apply with respect to compensation earned during the calendar year following the filing of the deferral election, and each subsequent calendar year, unless modified or revoked in accordance with the terms of this Plan. During the period from such filing and prior to the effectiveness of such election, the most recently filed and effective Deferral Election Form shall apply to all amounts payable to the Plan Participant under the Plan.

 

4.2.a.       Newly Elected or Appointed Independent Board Members. Any person who is first elected or appointed an Independent Board Member of the Fund during a calendar year and who timely files the Election Forms with the Administrator may elect to defer any unpaid and future compensation during such calendar year. Unless revoked or modified in accordance with the terms of this Plan, a deferral election made pursuant to this paragraph will apply for each subsequent calendar year after the year of the deferral election.

 

4.3.       Modification or Revocation of an Election to Defer. A Plan Participant may modify or revoke an election to defer, as to future compensation, effective on the first day of the next calendar year, which modification or revocation shall remain in effect for each subsequent calendar year (until modified or revoked in accordance with the Plan), by filing a new Deferral Election Form with the Administrator prior to the beginning of such next calendar year.

 

 

6.               BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION

 

Each Plan Participant shall designate on the Beneficiary Election Form the Primary and, if applicable, Contingent Beneficiary(ies) he or she desires to receive

 
 

amounts payable under the Plan in the event of the Plan Participant’s death. A Plan Participant may from time to time change his or her designated Primary or Contingent Beneficiary(ies) without the consent of such Beneficiary(ies) by filing a new Beneficiary Election Form with the Administrator.

 

At the time of death of a Plan Participant, if there is no living designated Primary Beneficiary(ies), the designated Contingent Beneficiary(ies), if any, shall be the Beneficiary. If there are no living Primary or Contingent Beneficiary(ies), the Plan Participant’s surviving spouse shall be the Beneficiary. If there is no surviving spouse, the Plan Participant’s estate shall be the Beneficiary.

 

 

7.               DEFERRED PAYMENT ACCOUNT

 

6.1.       Crediting Amounts. A Plan Participant may select one or more Funds in which his or her deferred compensation is invested for purposes of crediting earnings, by filing the Rate of Return Election Form with the Administrator. Any compensation deferred by a Plan Participant shall be credited to his or her Deferred Payment Account on the books of each Fund served by the Plan Participant in the form of Phantom Shares of the Fund(s) that the Plan Participant has selected.

 

The number of Phantom Shares credited to a Plan Participant’s Deferred Payment Account shall be the number of whole and fractional Phantom Shares determined by dividing the amount of the deferred compensation invested in the particular Fund(s) by the net asset value per Class F-2 share of such Fund(s) as of the Date of Crediting.

 

6.2.       Change of Investment Designation. A Plan Participant may change the designation of the Fund(s) in which his or her future deferred compensation is invested through the participant website or by filing a revised Rate of Return Election Form with, or by telephoning, the Administrator. The Administrator will confirm promptly in writing to the Plan Participant any change of investment designation accomplished by telephone. Any change of investment designation shall be effective only with respect to compensation deferred after receipt of such request. If a request is received after 1:00pm PT, the change in investment designation will be effective the next business day.

 

6.3.       Exchange Requests. By contacting the Administrator or using the participant website, a Plan Participant may request to exchange Phantom Shares of one or more Funds previously credited to a Deferred Payment Account for Phantom Shares of another Fund(s) based on their relative net asset values per Class F-2 share next determined. The Administrator will confirm promptly in writing to the Plan Participant any exchange request made by telephone. An exchange request will be effective after receipt of such request. If a request is received after the close of the New York Stock Exchange, the exchange will be effective on the next business day. An exchange request may relate to one or more Deferred Payment Accounts; however, no more than 12 exchange requests will be processed each calendar year

 
 

for all amounts credited under this Plan to any one Plan Participant. For purposes of this limitation, all exchange requests received in one day shall be treated as one exchange request.

 

6.4.       Plan Participants Serving on Money Market Fund Boards. Notwithstanding the other provisions of Section 6, a Plan Participant serving on the Board of a Money Market Fund may select only that Money Market Fund in which his or her compensation is invested for purposes of crediting earnings. In addition, no exchanges will be permitted in a Deferred Payment Account on the books of a Money Market Fund.

 

6.5.        Plan Participant Electing Installment Payout Option under Section 7.4.a. When a Plan Participant elects the limited installment payout option described in Section 7.4.a, all post-2004 deferrals will be exchanged into the appropriate American Funds Target Date Retirement Fund based upon the age of the surviving spouse Beneficiary at the time of the Participant’s death unless alternative instructions are provided in accordance with Section 6.5.a. Such exchange will occur as soon as administratively practicable, but in no event later than thirty (30) days from the date that the Plan Administrator is notified of the Plan Participant’s death. Once this exchange occurs, no further exchanges will be permitted for post-2004 deferrals.

 

6.5.a.       Alternative Instructions under Section 6.5. A Plan Participant electing the limited installment payout option described in Section 7.4.a. may instruct the Administrator to exchange all post-2004 deferrals into one or more Funds, rather than the appropriate American Funds Target Date Retirement Fund as provided for in Section 6.5. A Plan Participant may change instructions provided under this Section 6.5.a. no more than 12 times each calendar year. To be effective, such instructions must be received by the Administrator prior to the Plan Participant’s death.

 

 

8.               TIMING AND MANNER OF PAYMENTS

 

7.1.       Timing of Payments. Amounts credited to a Deferred Payment Account under the Plan to a Plan Participant shall be paid to the Plan Participant in accordance with the terms of the Plan only upon the occurrence of a Permissible Payment Event.

 

7.2.       Manner of Payment – Lump Sum. Upon the occurrence of a Permissible Payment Event, the amount of payment to a Participant shall be determined by multiplying the number of Phantom Shares of a Fund(s) that have been allocated to the Plan Participant’s Deferred Payment Account subject to the Permissible Payment Event, by the net asset value per Class F-2 share of such Fund(s) as of the date of the Permissible Payment Event.

 

The payment shall be made to the Plan Participant as soon as administratively practicable, but in no event later than thirty (30) days from the date of the Permissible

 
 

Payment Event.

 

7.3.       Alternative Payment Methods. A Plan Participant entitled to payment for reasons other than death, Disability or Unforeseeable Emergency, may elect, instead of a lump-sum payment, to receive annual or quarterly installment payments as specified by the Plan Participant on the Deferral Election Form.

 

The Plan Participant may elect either the Variable Dollar Installment Method or the Fixed Dollar Installment Method for a period not to exceed thirty (30) years. Once installment payments begin under either method, they cannot be stopped, except in case of death, Disability or Unforeseeable Emergency. Under either method, the first payment to a Plan Participant shall be calculated as of last day of the calendar quarter that contains the Permissible Payment Event. This first payment shall be made to the Plan Participant as soon as administratively practicable thereafter, but in no event later than thirty (30) days after the end of the calendar quarter that contains the Permissible Payment Event. Subsequent payments shall be made within thirty (30) days of the close of future calendar quarters or years, consistent with the Plan Participant’s election of either quarterly or annual installments. As of December 31, 2006, Plan Participants receiving payments under either one of the alternative payment methods will continue to receive payments under the payment schedule existing on that date.

 

In no event shall a payment under the Fixed Dollar Installment Method relating to a Deferred Payment Account exceed the value of the Deferred Payment Account as of the last day of the calendar quarter immediately preceding the date of payment. If any balance credited to a Plan Participant’s Deferred Payment Account remains positive on the date 30 years from the date of the initial payment to the Plan Participant, then such remaining balance shall be paid to the Plan Participant as soon as practicable thereafter in a single lump sum payment.

 

The right to a series of installment payments with respect to post-2004 deferrals under the Plan shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.

 

7.4.       Death of Plan Participant. If the Plan Participant dies at any time before all amounts in his or her Deferred Payment Accounts have been paid, such remaining amounts shall be paid in a lump-sum to the Plan Participant’s Beneficiary(ies).

 

7.4.a.       Optional Payment Method upon Death for Post-2004 Deferrals. With respect to post-2004 deferrals under the Plan, a Plan Participant may elect for his or her spouse Beneficiary to receive any remaining installment payments due the Plan Participant at his or her death if all four of the following conditions are met:

 

  (i) The spouse was married to the Plan Participant at the time of the Plan Participant’s death.
  (ii) The spouse was designated as the sole Beneficiary under the
 
 

Plan.

  (iii) At the time of the Plan Participant’s death, the timing and manner of distribution election in effect for such Plan Participant was one of the alternative payment methods described in Section 7.3 of the Plan.
  (iv) The Plan Participant had begun receiving installment payments described under Section 7.3 of the Plan at the time of his or her death.

 

An election under this Section 7.4.a must be made at least 12 months before the first scheduled payment under the Plan Participant’s current timing and manner of payment designation.

 

All installment payments made to a spouse Beneficiary under this section will be made under the same timing and manner of payment election made by the Plan Participant and in effect at the time of the Plan Participant’s death. No changes to the timing or manner of payment will be permitted.

 

If the spouse Beneficiary dies while there are still post-2004 account balances in the Plan, all remaining post-2004 account balances will be paid to the estate of the spouse Beneficiary as soon as administratively practicable, but in no event later than thirty (30) days from the date of the spouse Beneficiary’s death.

 

7.5.       Disability of Plan Participant. In the event the Plan Participant shall become Disabled before all amounts credited to the Plan Participant’s Deferred Payment Accounts have been paid to him or her, such remaining amounts shall be paid in a lump sum to the Plan Participant.

 

7.6.       Unforeseeable Emergency. If the Committee determines that the Plan Participant has an Unforeseeable Emergency, the Committee may make a lump sum payment to the Plan Participant from his or her Deferred Payment Account(s) in an amount not to exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the emergency need plus any taxes that may be owed on the payment. In the event the payment is less than the value of all of the Plan Participant’s Deferred Payment Accounts, the Deferred Payment Accounts shall be reduced proportionately so that, with respect to each such Fund, the ratio of the value of all Phantom Shares of the Fund to the value of the Deferred Payment Account shall remain the same before and after payment.

 

7.7.       Modification or Revocation for Post-2004 Deferrals. A Plan Participant’s designation as to timing and manner of payments of post-2004 deferrals under the Plan may be modified or revoked by filing a written election with the Administrator. Such designation will not be effective for at least 12 months. To be valid the new designation must (i) be made at least 12 months before the first scheduled payment under the current designation and (ii) delay the first payment by at least 5 years from the date the first payment would otherwise have been made under the current designation. No other modification of the designation as to the timing or manner of

 
 

payment will be valid.

 

7.7.a. Special Transition Rule. Under U.S. Treasury transition relief that extends through December 31, 2008 (or such later date as may be included in further Treasury guidance) a Plan Participant may change the timing or manner of payment of post-2004 deferrals without regard to the limitations described in paragraph 7.7. A Plan Participant may not, however, change the timing of payment with respect to deferrals that would have been paid in the year that he or she uses the transition relief. Furthermore, a Plan Participant may not accelerate post-2004 deferrals into the year that he or she takes advantage of the transition relief.

 

7.8.       Modification or Revocation for Pre-2005 Deferrals. A Plan Participant’s designation as to timing and manner of payments of pre-2005 deferrals under the Plan may be modified or revoked by filing a written election with the Administrator. However, any subsequent designation that would result in a change in the timing of a payment under the Plan or a change in the manner of payments under the Plan shall not be effective unless such subsequent designation is made not less than 12 months prior to the date of the first scheduled payment under the Plan. With respect to such pre-2005 deferrals, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the payment of any pre-2005 deferral.

 

 

9.     MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

8.1.       Purchase of Underlying Shares. To the extent a Plan Participant’s Deferred Payment Account has been credited with Phantom Shares of a Fund other than the Fund responsible for payment of the compensation being deferred, a Fund may, but shall not be obligated to, purchase and maintain Class F-2 shares of such other Fund in amounts equal in value to such Phantom Shares.

 

8.2.       Unsecured Promise to Pay. Amounts credited to a Plan Participant’s Deferred Payment Account under this Plan shall not be evidenced by any note or other security, funded or secured in any way. No assets of a Fund (including, without limitation, shares of other Funds) shall be segregated for the account of any Plan Participant (or Beneficiary), and Plan Participants (and Beneficiaries) shall be general unsecured creditors for payments due under the Plan.

 

8.3.       Withholding Taxes. The Administrator shall deduct, any federal, state or local taxes and other charges required by law to be withheld.

 

8.4.       Statements. The Administrator, on behalf of each Fund, shall furnish to each Plan Participant a statement showing the balance credited to his or her Deferred Payment Account at least annually.

 

 
 

8.5.       Assignment. No amount in a Plan Participant’s Deferred Payment Account may be assigned or transferred by the Plan Participant except by will or the law of descent and distribution.

 

8.6.         Governing Law; Severability. The Plan shall be construed, governed and administered in accordance with the laws and regulations of the United States Treasury Department and the State of California. The Plan is subject to applicable law and regulation and, in the event of changes in such law or regulation, shall be construed and applied in a manner in which the intent of its terms and provisions are best preserved. In the event that one or more provisions of the Plan are held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect on the basis of any particular circumstances or in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision or provisions under other circumstances or in other jurisdictions and of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

 

8.7.         Washington Management Corporation. Washington Management Corporation (“WMC”) provided services to the Washington Mutual Investors Fund, The Tax Exempt Fund of Maryland, and The Tax Exempt Fund of Virginia (collectively, the “WMC Funds”). WMC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of CRMC, effective as of December 21, 2012, and ceased to provide services to the WMC Funds after September 1, 2014.

 

The WMC Funds maintained the Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Board Members of the WMC Funds (the “WMC Plan”). Effective as of March 21, 2013, each WMC Fund, by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of its Board (including a majority of its Board members who are not interested persons of the mutual fund), merged the WMC Plan into, and adopted, the Plan.

 

The terms of the Plan shall govern amounts deferred under the WMC Plan, provided that, in the case of a former participant in the WMC Plan, a reference to the terms of the Plan in effect on January 1, 2004 shall be deemed a reference to the terms of the WMC Plan in effect on January 1, 2004. The timing and form of payments of amounts deferred under the WMC Plan as well as elections to defer made under the terms of the WMC Plan shall not be affected by the merger. The terms of this Plan and the merger of the WMC Plan into the Plan are intended to comply with section 409A of the Code.

 

 
 

 

I am a participant in the Deferred Compensation Plan and I wish my compensation from Board service to [all funds] [the following funds: ______________________________________________________] deferred as follows:

 

 

I elect to defer the following portion of my compensation from the Participating Funds and designated above:[1]

 

·        Compensation as an Independent Board Member:_______%

 

 

I understand that, to be effective, this election must be filed with the Administrator of the Plan prior to the first day of the first calendar year to which it applies, except as provided in Section 4.2.a. of the Plan. Once effective, this election will continue until revoked or modified in accordance with the terms of the Plan.

 

I hereby specify that I shall be entitled to payment of my deferred compensation upon the occurrence of either Permissible Payment Event indicated in the corresponding box (check one), or any other Permissible Payment Event:

 

q  The date on which I am no longer an Independent Board Member of any fund managed by CRMC; or

 

q  The following date which is objectively determinable at the time my compensation is deferred and is at least twenty four months past the date of the first deferral election made by me (cannot be an “event”):

 

 

________________________________________________________

 

 

I hereby specify that payments from my Deferred Payment Account(s) for the fund(s) listed above be made beginning within thirty (30) days of the close of the calendar quarter containing the Permissible Payment Event (outlined above):

 

q  In a single lump sum payment;

 

OR

 

q  In annual q In quarterly variable dollar installment payments over a period of

q  5 years q 10 years q 15 years q years (not to exceed 30);

 

OR

 

q In annual q In quarterly fixed dollar payments of $___________each; however, in no event shall any installment payment exceed the balance credited to my Deferred Payment Account on the date immediately preceding the date of payment.

 

AND (for multiple payments)

 

q       Applicable to Post-2004 deferrals only; continue any remaining installment payments due at my death to my surviving spouse beneficiary per the conditions stated in section 7.4.a of the Plan. Absent this election, post-2004 deferrals will be paid in a lump sum at death.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

________________________________________________________________

Name (please print)

 

 

 

___________________________

 

Date

 

______________________________________________________________________

Signature

 

 

___________________________

SSN or ITIN

 

 

[1] If clarification regarding deferrals for different Funds is necessary, please attach explanatory sheet.

 

 

 
 

 

I hereby designate the following beneficiary(ies) to receive any death benefit payable on account of my participation in the Deferred Compensation Plan.

 

 

Primary Beneficiary(ies):

 

1.      Name:______________________________________ % Share:_____________________

Address:__________________________________________________________________

Relationship:______________________________________________________________

Date of Birth:___________________ Social Security #:_____________________

Trust Name and Date (if beneficiary is a trust):_________________________________

Trustee of Trust:____________________________________________________________

 

2.      Name:______________________________________ % Share:_____________________

Address:__________________________________________________________________

Relationship:______________________________________________________________

Date of Birth:___________________ Social Security #:_____________________

Trust Name and Date (if beneficiary is a trust):_________________________________

Trustee of Trust:____________________________________________________________

 

Contingent Beneficiary(ies):

 

1.      Name:______________________________________ % Share:_____________________

Address:__________________________________________________________________

Relationship:______________________________________________________________

Date of Birth:___________________ Social Security #:_____________________

Trust Name and Date (if beneficiary is a trust):_________________________________

Trustee of Trust:____________________________________________________________

 

2.      Name:______________________________________ % Share:_____________________

Address:__________________________________________________________________

Relationship:______________________________________________________________

Date of Birth:____________________ Social Security #:_____________________

Trust Name and Date (if beneficiary is a trust):_________________________________

Trustee of Trust:____________________________________________________________

 

I understand that payment will be made to my Contingent Beneficiary(ies) only if there is no surviving Primary

 
 

Beneficiary(ies).

 

 

__________________________________________________________________

Participant’s Name (please print)

 

 

______________________

Date

 

 

__________________________________________________________________

Participant’s Signature

 

 

 
 

 

I am a participant in the Deferred Compensation Plan and I wish my compensation from Board service to [all funds] [the following funds: __________________________________________________________ ] invested as follows:

 
 

 

 

With respect to future earnings, I hereby elect to have amounts credited to my Deferred Payment Account(s) for the fund(s) listed above invested in Class F-2 shares of the specified funds:

 

*I understand that if I serve on the Board of a money market fund, I may only have amounts credited to my Deferred Payment Account for that money market fund with respect to future earnings invested in Class F-2 shares of that particular money market fund.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FUNDS

AMCAP Fund (AMCAP)

American Balanced Fund (AMBAL)

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (CBF)

American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund (DWGI)

American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund (EMBF)

American Funds Fundamental Investors (FI)

American Funds Global Balanced Fund (GBAL)

American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (ILBF)

American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund* (MMF)

American Funds Mortgage Fund (AFMF)

American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (STEX)

American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (SBF)

American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (TEFNY)

American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (AHIM)

American High-Income Trust (AHIT)

American Mutual Fund (AMF)

The Bond Fund of America (BFA)

Capital Group Central Cash Fund* (CCF)

Capital Income Builder (CIB)

Capital World Bond Fund (WBF)

Capital World Growth and Income Fund (WGI)

EuroPacific Growth Fund (EUPAC)

The Growth Fund of America (GFA)

The Income Fund of America (IFA)

Intermediate Bond Fund of America (IBFA)

International Growth and Income Fund (IGI)

The Investment Company of America (ICA)

Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (LTEX)

The New Economy Fund (NEF)

New Perspective Fund (NPF)

New World Fund, Inc. (NEW)

Short-Term Bond Fund of America (STBF)

SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc. (SCWF)

The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (TEBF)

The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (TEFCA)

U.S. Government Securities Fund (GVT)

Washington Mutual Investors Fund (WMIF)

% ALLOCATION

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

 

 
 

 

With respect to future earnings, I hereby elect to have amounts credited to my Deferred Payment Account(s) for the fund(s) listed above invested in Class F-2 shares of the specified funds:

 

*I understand that if I serve on the Board of a money market fund, I may only have amounts credited to my Deferred Payment Account for that money market fund with respect to future earnings invested in Class F-2 shares of that particular money market fund.

 

American Funds 2060 Target Date Retirement Fund (AFTD60)

American Funds 2055 Target Date Retirement Fund (AFTD55)

American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund (AFTD50)

American Funds 2045 Target Date Retirement Fund (AFTD45)

American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund (AFTD40)

American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund (AFTD35)

American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund (AFTD30)

American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Fund (AFTD25)

American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund (AFTD20)

American Funds 2015 Target Date Retirement Fund (AFTD15)

American Funds 2010 Target Date Retirement Fund (AFTD10)

American Funds Global Growth Portfolio (PSGG)

American Funds Growth Portfolio (PSG)

American Funds Growth and Income Portfolio (PSGI)

American Funds Moderate Growth and Income Portfolio (PSMGI)

American Funds Conservative Growth and Income Portfolio (PSCGI)

American Funds Tax-Advantaged Growth and Income Portfolio (PSTAGI)

American Funds Preservation Portfolio (PSP)

American Funds Tax-Exempt Preservation Portfolio (PSTEP)

American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series – Conservative (RIC)

American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series – Moderate (RIM)

American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series – Enhanced (RIE)

% ALLOCATION

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

____ %

 

 

I have read and understand this Rate of Return Election Form. I understand that earnings credited to my Deferred Payment Account(s) under the Plan in accordance with this Form shall be credited in the form of Phantom Shares rather than actual shares. I further state that I have reviewed the prospectus for each designated mutual fund.

 

 

___________________________________________________________

Name (please print)

 

 

______________________

Date

 

 

___________________________________________________________

Signature


 

 

 

American Funds Mortgage Fund

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

 

1.             The parties to this Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Agreement (the “Agreement”), which is effective as of April 7, 2017, are American Funds Mortgage Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Fund”), and American Funds Service Company, a California corporation (“AFS”). AFS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Capital Research and Management Company (“CRMC”). This Agreement will continue in effect until amended or terminated in accordance with its terms.

 

2.             The Fund hereby employs AFS, and AFS hereby accepts such employment by the Fund, as its transfer agent. In such capacity AFS will provide the services of stock transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, redemption agent, and such additional related services as the Fund may from time to time require, in respect of Class A shares; Class C shares; Class T shares; Class F-1 shares, Class F-2 shares and Class F-3 shares (“Class F shares”); Class 529-A shares, Class 529-C shares, Class 529-T shares, Class 529-E shares and Class 529-F-1 shares (“Class 529 shares”); Class R-1 shares, Class R-2 shares, Class R-2E shares, Class R-3 shares, Class R-4 shares, Class R-5E shares, Class R-5 shares and Class R-6 shares (“Class R shares”); (Class A shares, Class C shares, Class F shares, Class 529 shares and Class R shares collectively the “shares”) of the Fund, all of which services are sometimes referred to herein as “shareholder services.” In addition, AFS assumes responsibility for the Fund’s implementation and compliance with the procedures set forth in the Anti-Money Laundering Program (“AML Program”) of the Fund and does hereby agree to provide all records relating to the AML Program to any federal examiner of the Fund upon request.

 

3.             AFS has entered into substantially identical agreements with other investment companies for which CRMC serves as investment adviser. (For the purposes of this Agreement, such investment companies, including the Fund, are called “participating investment companies.”)

 

4.             AFS has entered into an agreement with DST Systems, Inc. (hereinafter called “DST”), to provide AFS with electronic data processing services sufficient for the performance of the shareholder services referred to in paragraph 2.

 

5.             The Fund, together with the other participating investment companies, will maintain a Review and Advisory Committee, which Committee will review and may make recommendations to the boards of the participating investment companies regarding all fees and charges provided for in this Agreement, as well as

 
 

review the level and quality of the shareholder services rendered to the participating investment companies and their shareholders. Each participating investment company may select one director or trustee who is not affiliated with CRMC, or any of its affiliated companies, to serve on the Review and Advisory Committee.

 

6.             AFS will provide to the participating investment companies the shareholder services referred to herein in return for the following fees:

 

Annual account maintenance fee (paid monthly):  
   
Fee per account (annual rate) Rate
Broker controlled account (networked and street) $0.84
Full service account $16.00

 

No annual fee will be charged for a participant account underlying a 401(k) or other defined contribution plan where the plan maintains a single account on AFS’ books and responds to all participant inquiries.

 

The fees described above shall be invoiced and paid within 30 days after the end of the month in which the services were performed.

 

Any revision of the schedule of charges set forth herein shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the board of trustees of the Fund.

 

7.             a. All Fund-specific charges from third parties -- including DST charges, payments described in the next sentence, postage, National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) transaction charges and similar out-of-pocket expenses -- will be passed through directly to the Fund or other participating investment companies, as applicable. AFS, subject to approval of its board of directors, is authorized in its discretion to negotiate payments to third parties for account maintenance and/or transaction processing services described in paragraph 7.b., provided such payments do not exceed the anticipated savings to the Fund, either in fees payable to AFS hereunder or in other direct Fund expenses, that AFS reasonably anticipates would be realized by the Fund from using the services of such third party rather than maintaining the accounts directly on AFS’ books and/or processing non-automated transactions. The limitation set forth above shall not apply to Class F shares, Class 529-F shares or Class R shares.

 

b.       During the term of this Agreement, AFS shall perform or cause to be performed the transfer agent services set forth in Exhibit A hereto, as such exhibit

 
 

may be amended from time to time by mutual consent of the parties. The Fund and AFS acknowledge that AFS will contract with third parties, to perform such transfer agent services. In selecting third parties to perform transfer agent services, AFS shall select only those third parties that AFS reasonably believes have adequate facilities and personnel to diligently perform such services. As set forth in the Administrative Services Agreement between the Fund and CRMC, CRMC or its affiliates shall monitor, coordinate and oversee the activities performed by the third parties with which AFS contracts.

 

8.             It is understood that AFS may have income in excess of its expenses and may accumulate capital and surplus. AFS is not, however, permitted to distribute any net income or accumulated surplus to its parent, CRMC, in the form of a dividend without the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the board of trustees of the Fund and all participating investment companies.

 

9.             This Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties, with agreement of the Fund to be evidenced by affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the board of trustees of the Fund.

 

10.          This Agreement may be terminated on 180 days’ written notice by either party. In the event of a termination of this Agreement, AFS and the Fund will each extend full cooperation in effecting a conversion to whatever successor shareholder service provider(s) the Fund may select, it being understood that all records relating to the Fund and its shareholders are property of the Fund.

 

11.          In the event of a termination of this Agreement by the Fund, the Fund will pay to AFS as a termination fee the Fund’s proportionate share of any costs of conversion of the Fund’s shareholder service from AFS to a successor. In the event of termination of this Agreement and all corresponding agreements with all the participating investment companies, all assets of AFS will be sold or otherwise converted to cash, with a view to the liquidation of AFS when it ceases to provide shareholder services for the participating investment companies. To the extent any such assets are sold by AFS to CRMC and/or any of its affiliates, such sales shall be at fair market value at the time of sale as agreed upon by AFS, the purchasing company or companies, and the Review and Advisory Committee. After all assets of AFS have been converted to cash and all liabilities of AFS have been paid or discharged, an amount equal to any capital or paid-in surplus of AFS that shall have been contributed by CRMC or its affiliates shall be set aside in cash for distribution to CRMC upon liquidation of AFS. Any other capital or surplus and any assets of AFS remaining after the foregoing provisions for liabilities and return of capital or paid-in surplus to CRMC shall be distributed to the participating investment companies in such proportions as may be determined by the Review and Advisory Committee.

 

 
 

12.          In the event of disagreement between the Fund and AFS, or between the Fund and other participating investment companies as to any matter arising under this Agreement, which the parties to the disagreement are unable to resolve, the question shall be referred to the Review and Advisory Committee for resolution. If the Review and Advisory Committee is unable to resolve the question to the satisfaction of both parties, either party may elect to submit the question to arbitration; one arbitrator to be named by each party to the disagreement and a third arbitrator to be selected by the two arbitrators named by the original parties. The decision of a majority of the arbitrators shall be final and binding on all parties to the arbitration. The expenses of such arbitration shall be paid by the party electing to submit the question to arbitration.

 

13.          The obligations of the Fund under this Agreement are not binding upon any of the trustees, officers, employees, agents or shareholders of the Fund individually, but bind only the Fund itself. AFS agrees to look solely to the assets of the Fund for the satisfaction of any liability of the Fund in respect to this Agreement and will not seek recourse against such trustees, officers, employees, agents or shareholders, or any of them or their personal assets for such satisfaction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed in duplicate original by their officers thereunto duly authorized, as of March 17, 2017.

 

 

AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY American Funds Mortgage Fund
   
By  /s/ Angela M. Mitchell By  /s/ Steven I. Koszalka
 Angela M. Mitchell Steven I. Koszalka
 Secretary Secretary

 

 

 
 

EXHIBIT A

to the

Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Agreement

 

AFS or any third party with whom it may contract (AFS and any such third-party are collectively referred to as “Service Provider”) shall act, as necessary, as stock transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent for the Fund’s shares and shall provide such additional related services as the Fund’s shares may from time to time require.

 

1.Record Maintenance

 

The Service Provider shall maintain, and require any third parties with which it contracts to maintain with respect to the Fund’s shareholders holding the Fund’s shares in a Service Provider account (“Customers”) the following records:

 

a.Number of shares;

 

b.             Date, price and amount of purchases and redemptions (including dividend reinvestments) and dates and amounts of dividends paid for at least the current year to date;

 

c.              Name and address of the Customer, including zip codes and social security numbers or taxpayer identification numbers;

 

d.             Records of distributions and dividend payments; and

 

e.             Any transfers of shares.

 

2.Shareholder Communications

 

Service Provider shall:

 

a.              Provide to a shareholder mailing agent for the purpose of delivering certain Fund-related material the names and addresses of all Customers. The Fund-related material shall consist of updated summary prospectuses and/or prospectuses and any supplements and amendments thereto, annual and other periodic reports, proxy or information statements and other appropriate shareholder communications. In the alternative, the Service Provider may distribute the Fund related material to its Customers.

 

 
 

b.             Deliver current Fund summary prospectuses, prospectuses and statements of additional information and annual and other periodic reports upon Customer request, and, as applicable, with confirmation statements.

 

c.              Deliver statements to Customers on no less frequently than a quarterly basis showing, among other things, the number of shares of the Fund owned by such Customer and the net asset value of shares of the Fund as of a recent date.

 

d.             Produce and deliver to Customers confirmation statements reflecting purchases and redemptions of shares of the Fund.

 

e.             Respond to Customer inquiries regarding, among other things, share prices, account balances, dividend amounts and dividend payment dates.

 

f.               With respect to Class A shares, Class C shares, Class T shares and/or Class F shares of the Fund purchased by Customers, provide average cost basis reporting to Customers to assist them in preparation of their income tax returns.

 

g.             If the Service Provider accepts transactions in the Fund’s shares from any brokers or banks in an omnibus relationship, require each such broker or bank to provide such shareholder communications as set forth in 2(a) through 2(e) to its own Customers.

 

3.Transactional Services

 

The Service Provider shall communicate to its Customers, as to shares of the Fund, purchase, redemption and exchange orders reflecting the orders it receives from its Customers or from any brokers and banks for their Customers. The Service Provider shall also communicate to beneficial owners holding through it, and to any brokers or banks for beneficial owners holding through them, as to shares of the Fund, mergers, splits and other reorganization activities, and require any broker or bank to communicate such information to its Customers.

 

4.Tax Information Returns and Reports

 

The Service Provider shall prepare and file, and require to be prepared and filed by any brokers or banks as to their Customers, with the appropriate governmental agencies, such information, returns and reports as are required to be so filed for reporting: (i) dividends and other distributions made; (ii) amounts withheld on dividends and other distributions and payments under applicable

 
 

federal and state laws, rules and regulations; and (iii) gross proceeds of sales transactions as required.

 

5.Fund Communications

 

The Service Provider shall, upon request by the Fund, on each business day, report the number of shares on which the transfer agency fee is to be paid pursuant to this Agreement. The Service Provider shall also provide the Fund with a monthly invoice.

 

6.Coordination, Oversight and Monitoring of Service Providers

 

As set forth in the Administrative Services Agreement between the Fund and CRMC, CRMC shall coordinate, monitor and oversee the activities performed by the Service Providers with which AFS contracts. AFS shall monitor Service Providers’ provision of services including the delivery of Customer account statements and all Fund-related materials, including summary prospectuses and/or prospectuses, shareholder reports, and proxies.

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of our report dated October 16, 2019, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of American Funds Mortgage Fund, which appears in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Financial highlights”, “Independent registered public accounting firm” and “Prospectuses, reports to shareholders and proxy statements” in such Registration Statement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Los Angeles, California

October 25, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

[logo - The Capital Group]

 

 

 

Code of Ethics

 

 

July 2019

 

 

Guidelines

 

Capital Group associates are responsible for maintaining the highest ethical standards when conducting business, regardless of lesser standards that may be followed through business or community custom. In keeping with these standards, all associates must place the interests of fund shareholders and clients first.

 

Capital’s Code of Ethics requires that all associates: (1) act with integrity, competence and in an ethical manner; (2) comply with applicable U.S. federal securities laws, as well as all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; and (3) promptly report violations of the Code of Ethics, as outlined below.

 

As part of the Code of Ethics, Capital has adopted the guidelines and policies below to address certain aspects of Capital’s business. In the absence of specific guidelines and policies on a particular matter, associates must keep in mind and adhere to the requirements of the Code of Ethics set forth above.

 

It is important that all associates comply with the Code of Ethics, including its related guidelines and policies. Failure to do so could result in disciplinary action, including termination.

 

Questions regarding the Code of Ethics may be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

Protecting sensitive information

 

Antifraud provisions of U.S. securities laws as well as the laws of other countries generally prohibit persons in possession of material non-public information from trading on or communicating the information to others. Associates who believe they may have material non-public information should contact a member of the Legal staff.

 

Capital Group regularly creates, collects and maintains valuable proprietary information, which is essential to our business operations and the performance of services for our clients. This information derives its value, in part, from not being generally known outside of Capital (hereinafter “Confidential Information”). It includes confidential electronic information in any medium, hard-copy information, and information shared orally or visually (such as by telephone or video conference). The confidentiality, integrity and limited availability of such information is regarded as fundamental to the successful business operations of Capital Group. The purpose of this Confidential Information Policy is to protect our information from disclosure – intentional or inadvertent – and to ensure that associates understand their obligation to protect and maintain its confidentiality.

 

Extravagant or excessive gifts and entertainment

 

Associates should not accept extravagant or excessive gifts or entertainment from persons or companies that conduct or may conduct business with Capital. Please see below for a summary of the Gifts and Entertainment Policy.

 

 
 

 

No special treatment from broker-dealers

 

Associates may not accept negotiated commission rates or any other terms they believe may be more favorable than the broker-dealer grants to accounts with similar characteristics. U.S. broker-dealers are subject to certain rules designed to prevent favoritism toward such accounts. Favors or preferential treatment from broker-dealers may not be accepted. This rule applies to the associate’s spouse/spouse equivalent and any immediate family member residing in the same household.

 

No excessive trading of Capital-affiliated funds

 

Associates should not engage in excessive trading of the American Funds or other Capital-managed investment vehicles worldwide in order to take advantage of short-term market movements. Excessive activity, such as a frequent pattern of exchanges, could involve actual or potential harm to shareholders or clients. This rule applies to the associate’s spouse/spouse equivalent and any immediate family member residing in the same household.

 

Ban on Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs)

 

All associates and immediate family members residing in the same household may not participate in IPOs or ICOs.

 

Exceptions for participation in IPOs are rarely granted; however, they will be considered on a case-by-case basis (for example, where a family member is employed by the IPO company and IPO shares are considered part of that family member’s compensation).

 

Outside business interests/affiliations

 

Board service as a director or advisory board member

Associates must obtain approval from the Code of Ethics Team prior to serving on the board of directors or as an advisory board member of any public or private company. This rule does not apply to: (1) boards of Capital companies or funds; (2) board service that is a direct result of the associate’s responsibilities at Capital, such as for portfolio companies of private equity funds managed by Capital; or (3) boards of non-profit and charitable organizations.

 

Associates and any family members residing in the same household must disclose service as a board director or as an advisory board member of any public or private company to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

Senior officer positions

 

Associates and family members residing in the same household must disclose senior officer positions, such as CEO, CFO, Treasurer, etc. of any private or public company.

 

 
 

 

Material business ownership interest and affiliations

Material business ownership interests may give rise to potential conflicts of interest. Associates and family members residing in the same household are required to disclose ownership of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of public or private companies that do, or potentially may do, business with Capital or American Funds.

 

Family members employed by a financial institution

Associates must disclose family members, including extended family members such as in-laws, cousins, aunts and uncles, who are employed by a financial institution, such as a bank, brokerage firm, credit union, money management firm, etc. Family members with whom the associate rarely speaks or sees does not need to be disclosed. This disclosure is not limited to those family members residing in the same household.

 

Requests for approval or questions may be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

Other guidelines

 

Statements and disclosures about Capital, including those made to fund shareholders and clients and in regulatory filings, should be accurate and not misleading.

 

 

Reporting requirements

 

Annual certification of the Code of Ethics

 

All associates are required to certify at least annually that they have read and understand the Code of Ethics. Questions or issues relating to the Code of Ethics should be directed to the associate’s manager or the Code of Ethics Team.

 

Reporting violations

 

All associates are responsible for complying with the Code of Ethics. As part of that responsibility, associates are obligated to report violations of the Code of Ethics promptly, including: (1) fraud or illegal acts involving any aspect of Capital’s business; (2) noncompliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; (3) intentional or material misstatements in regulatory filings, internal books and records, or client records and reports; or (4) activity that is harmful to fund shareholders or clients. Deviations from controls or procedures that safeguard Capital, including the assets of shareholders and clients, should also be reported. Reported violations of the Code of Ethics will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken. Once a violation has been reported, all associates are required to cooperate with Capital in the internal investigation of any matter by providing honest, truthful and complete information.

 

Associates may report confidentially to a manager/department head or to the Open Line Committee.

Associates may also contact the Chief Compliance Officers of CB&T, CGTC, CIInc, CRC, or CRMC, or legal counsel employed with Capital.

 
 

 

Capital strictly prohibits retaliation against any associate who in good faith makes a complaint, raises a concern, provides information or otherwise assists in an investigation regarding any conduct that he or she reasonably believes to be in violation of the Code of Ethics. This policy is designed to ensure that associates comply with their obligations to report violations without fear of retaliation.

 

 

Policies

 

Capital’s policies regarding gifts and entertainment, political contributions, insider trading and personal investing are summarized below.

 

Gifts and Entertainment Policy

 

Under the Gifts and Entertainment Policy, associates may not receive or extend gifts or entertainment that are excessive, repetitive or extravagant, if such gifts or entertainment involve a government official or are due to a third party’s business relationship (or prospective business relationship) with Capital. The Policy is intended to ensure that gifts and entertainment involving associates do not raise questions of propriety regarding Capital’s business relationships or prospective business relationships, or Capital’s interactions with government officials. Accordingly, for gifts and entertainment involving those who conduct, or may conduct, business with Capital:

  · An associate may not accept gifts from (or give gifts to) the same person or entity worth more than $100 (or the local currency equivalent) in a 12-month calendar year period.
  · An associate may not accept or extend entertainment valued at over $500 (or the local currency equivalent) unless a business reason exists for such entertainment and the entertainment is pre-approved by the associate’s manager and the Code of Ethics Team. Trading department associates are prohibited from accepting entertainment, regardless of value.

 

Gifts or entertainment extended to a private-sector person by a Capital associate and approved by the associate’s manager for reimbursement by Capital do not need to be reported (or precleared). Trading department associates should report gifts and entertainment extended regardless of reimbursement. Note: Separate policies regarding extending business gifts or entertainment apply to AFD and CGIIS associates. Dollar amounts refer to U.S. dollars.

 

Capital Group is registered as a federal lobbyist and special rules apply to gifts and entertainment involving government officials and employees as a result. Associates must receive approval from Capital’s Code of Ethics Team prior to either: (1) hosting a federal government official or employee at a Capital facility if anything of value (e.g. food, tangible item) will be presented to that individual; or (2) providing anything of value to a federal government official or employee if Capital will pay or reimburse for the related cost.

 

Reporting

 

The limitations relating to gifts and entertainment apply to all associates as described above, and associates will be asked to complete quarterly disclosures. Associates must report any gift

 
 

exceeding $50 and business entertainment in which an event exceeds $75 (although it is recommended that associates report all gifts and entertainment). Trading department associates should notify the Code of Ethics Team when gifts are received and report such gifts quarterly, whether the gift is received by an individual associate or by a department. In addition, trading associates should report gifts and entertainment extended regardless of reimbursement.

 

Charitable contributions

 

Associates must not allow Capital’s present or anticipated business to be a factor in soliciting political or charitable contributions from outside parties. In addition, it is generally not appropriate to solicit these outside parties or Capital associates for donations to a family-run non-profit organization, family foundation, donor-advised fund or other charitable organization in which an associate or their family members are significantly involved. Board membership alone would not be considered significant involvement.

 

Gifts and Entertainment Committee

 

The Gifts and Entertainment Committee oversees administration of the Policy. Questions regarding the Gifts and Entertainment Policy may be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

 

Political Contributions Policy

 

Associates must be cautious when engaging in personal political activities, particularly when supporting officials, candidates, or organizations that may be in a position to influence decisions to award business to investment management firms. Associates should not make political contributions to officials or candidates (in any country) for the purpose of influencing the hiring of a Capital Group company as an advisor to a governmental entity. Associates are encouraged to contact the Code of Ethics Team with any questions about this policy.

 

Associates may not use Capital offices or equipment to engage in political fundraising or solicitation activity, for example, hosting a fundraising event at the office or using Capital phones or email systems to help solicit donations for an elected official, a candidate, Political Action Committee (PAC) or political party. Associates may volunteer their time on behalf of a candidate or political organization, but should limit volunteer activities to non-work hours.

 

For contributions or activities supporting candidates or political organizations within the U.S., we have adopted the guidelines set forth below, which apply to associates classified as “Restricted Associates.”

Guidelines for political contributions and activities within the U.S.


U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations limit political contributions to certain Covered Government Officials by certain employees of investment advisory firms and certain affiliated companies. “Covered Government Official,” for purposes of the Political Contributions Policy, is defined as: (1) a state or local official; (2) a candidate for state or local office; or (3) a federal candidate currently holding state or local office.

 

 
 

Many U.S. cities and states have also adopted regulations restricting political contributions by associates of investment management firms seeking to provide services to a governmental entity. Some associates are also subject to these regulations.

 

Restricted Associates

 

Certain associates are deemed “Restricted Associates” under this Policy. Restricted Associates include (1) “covered associates” as defined in the SEC’s rule relating to political contributions by investment advisers (Rule 206(4)-5 under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940); and (2) other associates who do not meet that definition but whom Capital has determined should be subject to the restrictions on political contributions contained in the Policy based on their roles and responsibilities at Capital. Contributions by Restricted Associates and their spouse/spouse equivalent are subject to specific limitations, preclearance, and reporting requirements as described below.

 

Preclearance of political contributions

 

Contributions by Restricted Associates to any of the following must be precleared:

  • State or local officials, or candidates for state or local office
  • Federal candidate campaigns and affiliated committees, including federal incumbents and presidential candidates
  • Political organizations such as Political Action Committees (PACs), Super PACs and 527 organizations and ballot measure committees
  • Non-profit organizations that may engage in political activities, such as 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) organizations

 

Restricted Associates must also preclear U.S. political contributions by their spouse/spouse equivalent to any of the foregoing, as well as contributions to any state, local or federal political party or political party committee, if the aggregate contributions by the Restricted Associate and spouse/spouse equivalent to any one candidate or political entity exceed $50,000 in a calendar year.

 

Certain documentation is required for contributions to Covered Governmental Officials, PACs or Super PACs, and may be required for contributions to other entities that engage in political activity. See “Required documentation” below for further details. To preclear a contribution, please contact the Code of Ethics Team.

 

Contributions include:

  · Monetary contributions, gifts or loans
  · “In kind” contributions (for example, donations of goods or services or underwriting or hosting fundraisers)
  · Contributions to help pay a debt incurred in connection with an election (including transition or inaugural expenses, and purchasing tickets to inaugural events)
  · Contributions to joint fund-raising committees
 
 
  · Contributions made by a Political Action Committee (PAC) controlled by a Restricted Associate[1]

 

Please contact the Code of Ethics Team to preclear a contribution.

 

[1] “Control” for this purpose includes service as an officer or member of the board (or other governing body) of a PAC.

 

Required documentation

 

Restricted Associates must obtain additional documentation from an independent legal authority before they will be approved to contribute to Covered Government Officials. The purpose of the legal documentation is to verify that a specific state or local office does not have the ability to directly or indirectly influence the awarding of business to an investment manager. For contributions to PACs, Super PACs, or other entities that engage in political activities, Restricted Associates may be required to obtain a certification that the entity does not contribute to Covered Government Officials. The Code of Ethics Team will provide language for the documentation when you preclear the contribution.

 

If a candidate currently holds a state/local office and is running for a different state/local office, legal documentation must be obtained for both the current position and the office for which the candidate is running. Exceptions to the documentation requirements may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

 

Special political contribution requirements – CollegeAmerica

 

Certain associates involved with “CollegeAmerica,” the American Funds 529 college savings plan sponsored by the Commonwealth of Virginia, are subject to additional restrictions which prohibit them from contributing to Virginia political candidates or parties.

 

Administration of the Political Contributions Policy

 

The U.S. Public Policy Coordinating Group oversees the administration of this Policy, including considering and granting possible exceptions. Questions regarding the Political Contributions Policy may be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

 

Insider Trading Policy

 

Antifraud provisions of U.S. securities laws as well as the laws of other countries generally prohibit persons in possession of material non-public information from trading on or communicating the information to others. Sanctions for violations can include civil injunctions, permanent bars from the securities industry, civil penalties up to three times the profits made or losses avoided, criminal fines and jail sentences. In addition, trading in fund shares while in possession of material, non-public information that may have an immediate impact on the value of the fund’s shares may constitute insider trading.

 

While investment research analysts are most likely to come in contact with material non-public information, the rules (and sanctions) in this area apply to all Capital associates and extend to

 
 

activities both within and outside each associate's duties. Associates who believe they have material non-public information should contact any lawyer in the organization.

 

 

Personal Investing Policy

 

This policy applies only to “Covered Associates.” Special rules apply to certain associates in some non-U.S. offices.

 

The Personal Investing Policy (Policy) sets forth specific rules regarding personal investments that apply to "covered" associates. These associates may have access to confidential information that places them in a position of special trust. The Code of Ethics requires that associates act with integrity and in an ethical manner and place the interests of fund shareholders and clients first. Associates are reminded that the requirements of the Code of Ethics apply to personal investing activities, even if the matter is not covered by a specific provision of the Policy.

 

Personal investing should be viewed as a privilege, not a right. As such, the Personal Investing Committee may place limitations on the number of preclearance requests and/or transactions associates make.

 

Covered Associates

 

“Covered Associates” are associates with access to non-public information relating to current or imminent fund/client transactions, investment recommendations or fund portfolio holdings. Covered Associates include the associate’s spouse/spouse equivalent and other immediate family members (for example, children, siblings and parents) residing in the same household. Any reference to the requirements of Covered Associates in this document applies to these family members.

 

Questions regarding coverage status should be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

Additional rules apply to Investment Professionals

 

“Investment Professionals” include portfolio managers, investment counselors, investment analysts and research associates, investment group administrative assistants, portfolio specialists, investment specialists, trading associates, and global investment control and fixed income control associates, including assistants. See “Additional policies for Investment Professionals” below for more details.

 

Prohibited transactions

 

The following transactions are prohibited:

  · Initial Public Offering (IPO) investments (this prohibition applies to all Capital associates)

Note: Exceptions are rarely granted; however, they will be considered on a case-by-case basis (for example, where a family member is employed by the IPO company and IPO shares are considered part of that family member’s compensation).

  · Initial Coin Offering (ICO) investments (this prohibition applies to all Capital associates)
 
 
  · Short selling of securities subject to preclearance
  · Investments by Investment Professionals in short ETFs except those based on certain broad-based indices
  · Spread betting/contracts for difference (CFD) on securities (allowed only on currencies, commodities, and broad-based indices)
  · Writing puts and calls on securities subject to preclearance

 

Reporting requirements

 

Covered Associates are required to report their securities accounts, holdings and transactions. Quarterly and annual certifications of accounts, holdings and transactions must also be submitted. An electronic reporting platform is available for these disclosures.

 

Covered Associates must disclose any account over which the Covered Associate exercises investment discretion or control (for example, trusts and custodianships for which the Covered Associate is trustee or custodian), if the account holds securities. Covered Associates must also disclose discretionary (professionally managed) accounts.

 

Covered Associates should immediately notify the Code of Ethics Team when opening new securities accounts; associates may also disclose accounts by logging into Protegent PTA and entering the account information directly.

 

Newly hired U.S.-based associates and associates transferring into a position designated as “covered” are required to maintain their brokerage accounts with electronic reporting firms. This requirement includes immediate family members living in the same household. There are some exceptions to this requirement which include discretionary accounts, employer-sponsored retirement accounts, and employee stock purchase plans.

 

Duplicate statements and trade confirmations (or equivalent documentation) are required for accounts holding securities subject to preclearance and/or reporting. This requirement includes employer-sponsored retirement accounts and employee stock purchase plans (ESPP, ESOP, 401(k)). Documentation allowing the acquisition of shares via an employer-sponsored plan may be required.

 

Preclearance procedures

 

Certain transactions may be exempt from preclearance; please refer to the Personal Investing Policy for more details.

 

Before buying or selling securities subject to preclearance, including securities that are not publicly traded, Covered Associates must receive approval from the Code of Ethics Team first. Please refer to the Personal Investing Policy for more details on preclearable securities.

 

Submitting preclearance requests

 

To submit a preclear request, log into Protegent PTA. Covered Associates should then click on the Preclear button on the Dashboard and enter the request details.

 

 
 

For assistance or questions, please contact the Code of Ethics Team.

 

Preclearance requests will be handled during the hours the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open, generally 6:30am to 1:00pm Pacific Time. A response to requests will generally be sent within one business day.

 

Transactions will generally not be permitted in securities on days the funds or clients are transacting in the issuer in question. In the case of Investment Professionals, permission to transact will be denied if the transaction would violate the seven-day blackout or short-term trading policies (see “Additional policies for Investment Professionals” below). Preclearance requests by Investment Professionals are subject to special review.

 

Preclearance will generally not be approved for analysts’ transactions involving securities held in their professional portfolio(s) or if the issuer of such securities falls within their industry research responsibilities or a related industry.

 

Unless a different period is specified, clearance is good until the close of the NYSE on the day of the request. Associates from offices outside the U.S. and/or associates trading on non-U.S. exchanges are usually granted enough time to complete their transaction during the next available trading day.

 

If the precleared trade has not been executed within the cleared timeframe, preclearance must be requested again. For this reason, the following are strongly discouraged:

  · Limit orders (for example, stop loss and good-till-canceled orders)
  · Margin accounts

 

Private investments or other limited offerings

 

Participation in private investments or other limited offerings are subject to special review. The following types of private investments must be precleared:

  · Hedge funds
  · Investments in private companies
  · Private equity funds
  · Private funds
  · Private placements
  · Venture capital funds

 

In addition, opportunities to acquire a stock that is "limited" (that is, a broker-dealer is only given a certain number of shares to sell and is offering the opportunity to buy) may be subject to the Gifts and Entertainment Policy.

 

Preclearance procedures for private investments

 

Preclear private investments by contacting the Code of Ethics Team.

 

To make a subsequent investment, or increase a previously approved investment, a new Private Investment Preclear Form must be submitted and approval received before making the subsequent or increased investment.

 

 
 

Additional policies for Investment Professionals

 

Disclosure of personal and professional holdings (cross-holdings)

 

Portfolio managers, investment analysts, portfolio specialists and certain investment specialists will be asked to disclose securities they own both personally and professionally on a quarterly basis. Analysts will also be required to disclose securities they hold personally that are within their research responsibilities or could be eligible for recommendation by the analyst professionally in the future in light of current research responsibilities. This disclosure must be made to the Code of Ethics Team, and may be reviewed by various Capital committees.

 

If disclosure has not already been made to the Code of Ethics Team, any associate who is in a position to recommend a security that the associate owns personally for purchase or sale in a fund or client account should first disclose such personal ownership either in writing (in a company write-up) or verbally (when discussing the company at investment meetings) prior to making a recommendation. This disclosure requirement is consistent with both the CFA Institute standards as well as the ICI Advisory Group Guidelines.

 

In addition, portfolio managers, investment analysts, portfolio specialists and certain investment specialists are encouraged to notify investment/portfolio/fixed-income control of personal ownership of securities when placing an order (especially with respect to a first-time purchase).

 

Blackout periods

 

Investment Professionals may not buy or sell a security during the period seven calendar days after a fund or client account transacts in that issuer. The blackout period applies to trades in the same management company with which the associate is affiliated.

 

If a fund or client account transaction takes place in the seven calendar days following a transaction executed by an Investment Professional, the personal transaction may be reviewed by the Personal Investing Committee to determine the appropriate action, if any. For example, the Personal Investing Committee may recommend the associate be subject to a price adjustment.

 

Ban on short-term trading

 

Investment Professionals are generally prohibited from the purchase and sale or sale and purchase of a security within 60 calendar days. This restriction applies to securities subject to preclearance and the investment vehicles listed below. However, if a situation arises whereby the associate is attempting to take a tax loss, an exception may be made. This restriction applies to the purchase of an option and the sale of an option, or the purchase of an option and the exercise of the option and sale of shares within 60 days. Although the associate may be granted preclearance at the time the option is purchased, there is a risk of being denied permission to sell the option or exercise and sell the underlying security. Accordingly, transactions in options on individual securities are strongly discouraged.

 

This ban applies to the following investment vehicles based on certain broad-based indices:

  · ETFs
  · ETF options and futures
  · Index futures
 
 

 

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

 

Investment Professionals must preclear ETFs (including UCITS, SICAVs, OEICs, FCPs, Unit Trusts and Publikumsfonds) except those based on certain broad-based indices. Investment Professionals are prohibited from investing in short ETFs that are not based on certain broad-based indices.

 

Although Investment Professionals may invest in ETFs based on certain broad-based indices without preclearance, the ban on short-term trading still applies.

 

 

Penalties for violating the Personal Investing Policy

 

Covered Associates may be subject to penalties for violating the Personal Investing Policy, such as restrictions on personal trading. Violations to the Policy include failing to preclear or report securities transactions, failing to report securities accounts or submit statements, and failing to submit timely initial, quarterly and annual certification forms.

 

Failure to adhere to the Personal Investing Policy may include penalties such as restrictions on personal trading and other disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

 

Personal Investing Committee

 

The Personal Investing Committee oversees the administration of the Policy. Among other duties, the Committee considers certain types of preclearance requests as well as requests for exceptions to the Policy.

 

Questions regarding the Personal Investing Policy may be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

 

* * * * *

 

 

Questions regarding the Code of Ethics may be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Logo – American Funds®]

 

 

The following is representative of the Code of Ethics in effect for each Fund:

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

 

With respect to non-affiliated Board members and all other access persons to the extent that they are not covered by The Capital Group Companies, Inc. policies:

 

 

  · No Board member shall so use his or her position or knowledge gained therefrom as to create a conflict between his or her personal interest and that of the Fund.

 

  · No Board member shall engage in excessive trading of shares of the fund or any other affiliated fund to take advantage of short-term market movements.

 

  · Each non-affiliated Board member shall report to the Secretary of the Fund not later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter any transaction in securities which such Board member has effected during the quarter which the Board member then knows to have been effected within fifteen (15) days before or after a date on which the Fund purchased or sold, or considered the purchase or sale of, the same security.

 

  · For purposes of this Code of Ethics, transactions involving United States Government securities as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, or shares of registered open-end investment companies are exempt from reporting as are non-volitional transactions such as dividend reinvestment programs and transactions over which the Board member exercises no control.

 

* * * *

 

In addition, the Fund has adopted the following standards in accordance with the requirements of Form N-CSR adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for the purpose of deterring wrongdoing and promoting: 1) honest and ethical conduct, including handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; 2) full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a fund files with or submits to the Commission and in other public communications made by the fund; 3) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations; 4) the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code of Ethics to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code of Ethics; and 5) accountability for adherence to the Code of Ethics. These provisions shall apply to the principal executive officer or chief executive officer and treasurer (“Covered Officers”) of the Fund.

 

 

  1. It is the responsibility of Covered Officers to foster, by their words and actions, a corporate culture that encourages honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical resolution of, and appropriate disclosure of conflicts of interest. Covered Officers should work to assure a working environment that is characterized by respect for law and compliance with applicable rules and regulations.

 

  2. Each Covered Officer must act in an honest and ethical manner while conducting the affairs of the Fund, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships. Duties of Covered Officers include:

 

  · Acting with integrity;
  · Adhering to a high standard of business ethics; and
  · Not using personal influence or personal relationships to improperly influence investment decisions or financial reporting whereby the Covered Officer would benefit personally to the detriment of the Fund.

 

  3. Each Covered Officer should act to promote full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Fund files with or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other public communications made by the Fund.

 

  · Covered Officers should familiarize themselves with disclosure requirements applicable to the Fund and disclosure controls and procedures in place to meet these requirements; and
  · Covered Officers must not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent facts about the Fund to others, including the Fund’s auditors, independent directors, governmental regulators and self-regulatory organizations.

 

  4. Any existing or potential violations of this Code of Ethics should be reported to The Capital Group Companies’ Personal Investing Committee. The Personal Investing Committee is authorized to investigate any such violations and report their findings to the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Fund. The Chairman of the Audit Committee may report violations of the Code of Ethics to the Board or other appropriate entity including the Audit Committee, if he or she believes such a reporting is appropriate. The Personal Investing Committee may also determine the appropriate sanction for any violations of this Code of Ethics, including removal from office, provided that removal from office shall only be carried out with the approval of the Board.

 

  5. Application of this Code of Ethics is the responsibility of the Personal Investing Committee, which shall report periodically to the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Fund.

 

  6. Material amendments to these provisions must be ratified by a majority vote of the Board. As required by applicable rules, substantive amendments to the Code of Ethics must be filed or appropriately disclosed.

 

 

 

 

 



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