Upload
others
View
0
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Beginning on January 1 2021 as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission paper copies of Northern Funds shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from Northern Funds or from your financial intermediary such as a broker-dealer or bank Instead the reports will be made available on the Fundsrsquo website (northerntrustcom) and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report
If you have already elected to receive your shareholder reports electronically you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from Northern Funds electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or if your account is held directly with Northern Funds by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111 or by sending an e-mail request to northern-fundsntrscom
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge If you invest through a financial intermediary please contact your financial intermediary to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports If you invest directly with Northern Funds you can inform Northern Funds that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111 or by sending an e-mail request to northern-fundsntrscom Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Northern Funds you hold in your account at the financial intermediary or through an account with Northern Funds You must provide separate instructions to each of your financial intermediaries
N O R T H E R N M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
A N N UA L R E P O R T
M A R C H 31 2 0 2 0
A M E S S AG E F R O M
BO B B ROW N E
C H I E F I N V E S T M E N T O F F I C E R
The bond market after producing steady gains with low volatility for most of the 12 month period ended March 31 2020 experienced severe disruptions with the outbreak of the coronavirus in early 2020 A combination of supply interruptions and sharply curtailed demand from both consumers and businesses appeared to end the longest economic expansion in US history and set the stage for a domestic and global recession These events brought an immediate response from the US Federal Reserve which cut short-term interest rates from 15 to zero created a wide range of new lending facilities and announced an asset-purchase program that included Treasuries mortgage-backed securities corporate issues and municipal bonds In total the Federal Reserversquos actions dwarfed the remedy for the 2008 financial crisis in both their scope and size The US government also responded with fiscal support in the form of a $22 trillion stimulus package that was passed in late March Policymakers overseas also sought to prop up their economies with monetary and fiscal stimulus designed to offset the impact of the coronavirus
The unprecedented suddenness of the downshift from positive to negative growth was matched by equally historic dislocations in global financial markets Yields on US Treasuries plunged in response to the prospect of a global recession investorsrsquo ldquoflight to safetyrdquo and the Federal Reserversquos accommodative
policies Yields on government bonds hit all-time lows in March with the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury briefly falling below 04 and the 30-year reaching 07 ndash leaving the entire US yield curve beneath 1 for the first time in history These events were accompanied by an inversion of the yield curve meaning that yields for short-term issues were above those of longer-term securities Market conditions normalized somewhat in response to the Federal Reserversquos aggressive actions with yields moving off their lows and the yield curve returning to a more typical slope Nevertheless the benchmark 10-year yield closed the period at 070 on March 31 2020 well below its level of 241 on March 31 2019
Although US Treasuries delivered strong performance during the downturn credit-sensitive areas of the market experienced significant declines that pushed their returns for the full 12-month period into negative territory High-yield corporate bonds weakened due to uncertainty regarding the outlook for economic growth and corporate earnings as well as from the sharp declines in oil prices Investment-grade corporate issues were also adversely affected by these trends although to a lesser extent than high yield bonds In addition higher-grade corporate issues received a significant boost in late March from the Federal Reserversquos announcement that it would include this category of
bonds in its asset-purchase programs US government money market funds for their part represented a notable source of stability amid the unusual volatility across many other areas of the financial markets
While certain segments of the bond market have faced challenges in recent months we would note that the investment-grade Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index gained 315 during the first calendar quarter of 2020 and 893 for the full 12-month period ended March 31 2020 In contrast the SampP 500 Index ndash a key measure of performance for US equities ndash returned -1960 and -698 for these same periods respectively We believe that this helps to illustrate bondsrsquo continued value as a source of potential portfolio diversification particularly in challenging times
Most important please know that our thoughts are with each one of our readers ndash our clients colleagues business partners and everyone else within our community ndash as we strive to overcome this health crisis Thank you for the continued opportunity to manage your assets
Bob Browne Chief Investment Officer Northern Trust
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
This report has been prepared for the general information of Northern Funds shareholders It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless accompanied or preceded by a current Northern Funds summary prospectus or prospectus which contains more complete information about a fundrsquos investment objectives risks fees and expenses Investors are reminded to read a summary prospectus or prospectus carefully before investing or sending money
This report contains certain forward-looking statements about factors that may affect the performance of the Funds in the future These statements are based on Northern Fundsrsquo management predictions and expectations concerning certain future events such as performance of the economy as a whole and of specific industry sectors changes in the levels of interest rates the impact of developing world events and other factors Management believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable although they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict Actual events may cause adjustments in Northern Fundsrsquo management strategies from those currently expected to be employed
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so
The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time
Northern Funds are distributed by Northern Funds Distributors LLC Three Canal Plaza Suite 100 Portland Maine 04101 not affiliated with Northern Trust
2 PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY
6 STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
7 STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
8 STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
9 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
13 SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS
13 MONEY MARKET FUND Ticker Symbol NORXX
17 MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND Ticker Symbol NOMXX
23 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND Ticker Symbol NOGXX
28 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND Ticker Symbol NOSXX
32 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
40 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
41 TAX AND DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION
42 FUND EXPENSES
43 TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
47 INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
48 FOR MORE INFORMATION
NOT FDIC INSURED
May lose value No bank guarantee
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUALL REPORT 1 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
The global financial markets experienced volatility during the 12-month reporting period ended March 31 2020 prompting the US Federal Reserve (the ldquoFedrdquo) to cut its federal funds target rate from a range of 200-225 at the beginning of the period to 000-025 by March 31 2020 The Money Market Fund posted a 185 return in the same period compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeFirst Tier Retail benchmark return of 161
Softening economic data initially prompted the Fed to reduce the target range in three orderly increments of 025 between July and October of 2019 These cuts were enough to restore an upward slope to the money market yield curve after it had inverted for much of 2019 Fears of the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread shutdown of commerce materialized across the globe in early 2020 prompting a sharp repricing of global markets Higher risk assets tumbled with many categories suffering their worst performance since the 2008-2009 financial crisis The Fed reacted to the decline in economic activity of historic proportions reducing rates by total of 15 percentage points in emergency meetings over a two-week span in March 2020 The Fed also committed to purchasing an unlimited amount of US Treasury securities to help restore economic growth
Given our expectations for rate cuts during the reporting period we maintained a long duration (higher interest rate sensitivity) relative to the peer group throughout the period We continued to monitor market pricing closely in search of opportunities to add duration and increase positions in higher quality credits In addition we maintained a strong liquidity profile to accommodate any unexpected outflows
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(041194) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMFIRST TIER RETAIL
185
161
109
090
055
047
075
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund MATURITY
Report Averages which are composites of professionally OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY) 608 managed money market investments with similar
2 - 15 DAYS 54 investment objectives
16 - 30 DAYS 38 Fund portfolio composition is subject to change 31 - 60 DAYS 92
Information about Investment Considerations can be 61 - 97 DAYS 87 found on page 47 98 - 180 DAYS 108
181 - 270 DAYS 02
271 - 366 DAYS 11
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 2 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
The municipal market experienced a significant measure of volatility during the 12-month reporting period ended March 31 2020 While demand for municipal investments was strong throughout most of the period the onset of COVID-19 prompted a significant reversal in demand by period end
The Municipal Money Market Fund returned 115 during the 12-month period compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeTax Free Retail benchmark return of 102 Over the majority of the period we employed a ldquobarbellrdquo approach to the Fundrsquos portfolio duration This strategy ensured that the Fund was well positioned to handle cash volatility as approximately 90 of portfolio assets were invested in daily or weekly variable rate demand notes Holdings in these assets enabled us to navigate fluctuations in cash flows throughout the 12-month period
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(041194) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMTAX FREE RETAIL
115
102
073
057
037
030
318
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the Municipal Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
MATURITY We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund Report Averages which are composites of professionally
OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY) 318 managed money market investments with similar
2 - 15 DAYS 506 investment objectives
31 - 60 DAYS 37 Income from the Fund may be subject to federal 61 - 97 DAYS 114 alternative minimum tax (AMT) and state and local
98 - 180 DAYS 25 taxes
Fund portfolio composition is subject to change
Information about Investment Considerations can be found on page 47
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 3 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
Global markets were volatile during the 12-month period ended March 31 2020 with the federal funds target range falling from 200-225 at the beginning of the period to 000-025 by March 2020 During the same period the US Government Money Market Fund posted a 170 total return compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeGovt and Agencies Retail benchmark return of 139 Softening economic data in 2019 prompted the US Federal Reserve (the ldquoFedrdquo) to reduce short-term rates three times between July and October of 2019 These cuts restored an upward slope to the money market yield curve after it had become inverted earlier in 2019 In early 2020 fears of the COVID-19 pandemic and a gradual and widespread shutdown of commerce materialized across the globe prompting a sharp re-pricing of global markets Risk assets tumbled with many market indices suffering their worst performance since the 2008 financial crisis In response the Fed took a series of actions of historic proportions including the trimming of the federal funds rate by 150 basis points The Fed also committed to purchasing an unlimited volume of US Treasury securities to help boost the economy
The markets for government securities experienced at least three key developments during the reporting period First a confluence of factors including less ample liquidity in the banking system than previously estimated prompted interest rates in the overnight repurchase agreement (repo) market to spike meaningfully in mid-September 2019 The Fed responded by injecting liquidity into the system to calm markets Second in order to provide additional liquidity the Fed began purchasing Treasury bills in October 2019 placing downward pressure on yields Lastly the normal seasonal decline in Treasury bill issuance in second quarter is likely to change to an increase in 2020 as the Treasury Department looks to finance fiscal stimulus measures via the Treasury bill market
Given our expectations for rate cuts the Fund remained long relative to its peer group throughout the period We will continue to monitor market pricing closely and selectively add high quality credits and duration while maintaining a strong liquidity profile to accommodate any unexpected outflows
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(041194) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMGOVT AND AGENCIES RETAIL
170
139
088
068
044
035
027
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the US Government Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund MATURITY
Report Averages which are composites of professionally OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY)
2 - 15 DAYS
16 - 30 DAYS
31 - 60 DAYS
61 - 97 DAYS
98 - 180 DAYS
181 - 270 DAYS
271 - 366 DAYS
367 - 397 DAYS
463 managed money market investments with similar investment objectives 169
40 Fund portfolio composition is subject to change 48
Information about Investment Considerations can be 87 found on page 47 93
66
30
04
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 4 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
Global markets were volatile during the 12-month reporting period ended March 31 2020 with the federal funds target range falling from 200-225 at the beginning of the period to 000-025 by March 2020 During the same reporting period the US Govshyernment Select Money Market Fund posted a 169 total return compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeGovt and Agencies Retail benchmark return of 139 Softening economic data in 2019 prompted the US Federal Reserve (the ldquoFedrdquo) to reduce short-term rates three times between July and October of 2019 These cuts restored an upward slope to the money market yield curve after it had become inverted earlier in 2019 In early 2020 fears of a global coronavirus pandemic and a gradual and widespread shutdown of commerce materialized across the globe prompting a sharp re-pricing of global markets Risk assets tumbled with many market indices suffering their worst performance since the 2008 financial crisis In response the Fed took a series of actions of historic proportions including the trimming of the federal funds rate by 150 basis points The Fed also committed to purchasing an unlimited volume of US Treasury securities to help boost the economy
The markets for government securities experienced at least three key developments during the period First a confluence of factors including less ample liquidity in the banking system than previously estimated prompted interest rates in the overnight repurchase agreement (repo) market to spike meaningfully in mid-September 2019 The Fed responded by injecting liquidity into the system to calm markets Second in order to provide additional liquidity the Fed began purchasing Treasury bills in October 2019 placing downward pressure on yields Lastly the normal seasonal decline in Treasury bill issuance in second quarter is likely to change to an increase in 2020 as the Treasury Department looks to finance fiscal stimulus measures via the Treasury bill market
Given our expectations for rate cuts during the fiscal year the Fund remained long relative to its peer group throughout the period We will continue to monitor market pricing closely and selectively add high quality credits and duration while maintaining a strong liquidity profile to accommodate any unexpected outflows
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(121294) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMGOVT AND AGENCIES RETAIL
169
139
088
068
045
035
029
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the US Government Select Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund MATURITY
Report Averages which are composites of professionally OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY)
2 - 15 DAYS
16 - 30 DAYS
31 - 60 DAYS
61 - 97 DAYS
98 - 180 DAYS
181 - 270 DAYS
271 - 366 DAYS
367 - 397 DAYS
521 managed money market investments with similar investment objectives 66
65 Fund portfolio composition is subject to change 57
Information about Investment Considerations can be 76 found on page 47
119
61
32
03
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 5 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F A S S E T S A N D L I A B I L I T I E S MARCH 31 2020
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
Amounts in thousands except per share data MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
ASSETS
Investments at amortized cost which approximates fair value $362394 $206113 $8760514 $2014155
Repurchase agreements at cost which approximates fair value 82000 mdash 8091456 1643871
Cash 602 9297 mdash mdash
Interest income receivable 581 982 20281 4461
Receivable for securities sold 20096 mdash mdash 24997
Receivable for fund shares sold 57 120 121922 4691
Receivable from affiliates for expense reimbursements 10 6 34 11
Prepaid and other assets 8 7 12 8
Total Assets 465748 216525 16994219 3692194
LIABILITIES
Cash overdraft mdash mdash 21522 mdash
Payable for securities purchased 20096 1002 330686 84975
Payable for fund shares redeemed mdash mdash 44583 2463
Distributions payable to shareholders
Payable to affiliates
556 358 9099 1921
Management fees 28 12 1033 223
Custody fees mdash 2 97 17
Transfer agent fees 9 4 239 51
Trustee fees 2 mdash 23 19
Accrued other liabilities 51 50 278 82
Total Liabilities 20742 1428 407560 89751
Net Assets $445006 $215097 $16586659 $3602443
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
Capital stock $445044 $215126 $16586639 $3602445
Distributable earnings (38) (29) 20 (2)
Net Assets $445006 $215097 $16586659 $3602443
Shares Outstanding ($0001 par value unlimited authorization)
Net Asset Value Redemption and Offering Price Per Share
445002
$100
215061
$100
16586672
$100
3602483
$100
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 6 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F O P E R AT I O N S FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31 2020
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
Amounts in thousands MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest income $12659 $5189 $320690 $59934
Income from affiliates (Note 6) mdash mdash 36 mdash
Total Investment Income 12659 5189 320726 59934
EXPENSES
Management fees 1919 1144 51740 9755
Custody fees 72 36 1316 265
Transfer agent fees 59 60 2755 519
Registration fees 23 22 36 28
Printing fees 26 26 196 50
Professional fees 44 44 268 83
Trustee fees 9 9 162 36
Other 19 23 147 41
Total Expenses 2171 1364 56620 10777
Less expenses contractually reimbursed by investment adviser (163) (136) (1495) (355)
Less custodian credits (8) (3) (15) (24)
Net Expenses 2000 1225 55110 10398
Net Investment Income 10659 3964 265616 49536
NET REALIZED GAINS
Net realized gains (losses) on
Investments 8 37 86 22
Net Gains 8 37 86 22
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $10667 $4001 $265702 $49558
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 7 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F C H A N G E S I N N E T A S S E T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
Amounts in thousands 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019
OPERATIONS
Net investment income $10659 $10300 $3964 $7587 $265616 $312278 $49536 $64202
Net realized gains 8 3 37 mdash 86 261 22 45
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations 10667 10303 4001 7587 265702 312539 49558 64247
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS(1)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share
(163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
Transactions (163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
Distributable earnings
Total Distributions Paid
(10660) (10303)
(10660) (10303)
(3964) (7589)
(3964) (7589)
(265869) (312392)
(265869) (312392)
(49578) (64226)
(49578) (64226) Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
NET ASSETS
(163364) 272351 (253029) (408770) (2626920) 3217660 (188737) 13133
Beginning of year 608370 336019 468126 876896 19213579 15995919 3791180 3778047
End of year $445006 $608370 $215097 $468126 $16586659 $19213579 $3602443 $3791180
(1) The number of shares approximates the dollar amount of transactions
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 8 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash(4)
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
mdash
(002)
(002)
mdash
(002)
(001)
mdash
(001)
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(7)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
185 205 110 042 005
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$445006 $608370 $336019 $164606 $7561742
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(8) 034 035 029 034 026
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 038 043 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(8)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
184 205 109 022 005
credits 181 202 095 019 (005)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $136000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $8190000 The voluntary cash
contribution represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (5) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (6) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (7) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (8) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 9 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 001 001 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) mdash(2) mdash mdash 001 mdash(2)
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash
Total from Investment Operations 001 001 001 001 mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash(5)
(001)
mdash(4)
mdash(5)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(6)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
115 116 079 053 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$215097 $468126 $876896 $203856 $5660876
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(7) 035 035 022 034 009
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 039 037 038 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(7)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
115 114 081 011 001
credits 111 112 065 008 (026)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $91000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (5) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (6) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (7) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 10 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
170 179 078 012 001
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$16586659 $19213579 $15995919 $16481941 $3359761
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 022
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 036 036 036 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
170 180 077 015 001
credits 169 179 076 014 (013)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 11 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
169 179 078 015 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$3602443 $3791180 $3778047 $3281067 $3887950
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 020
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 037 037 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
169 178 080 014 001
credits 167 176 078 013 (015)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 12 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
A B S C O M M E RC I A L PA P E R 7 9 C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d
ABS Other ndash 79 Banking ndash 245 continued
Antalis SA (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
186 4820(1) (2) $1000 $1000 009) 194 51820(3) $3000 $3000
194 61020(1) (2) 3000 2989 179 81720 3000 3000
Barton Capital SA BNP Paribas SA New York Branch
180 41420(2) 2000 1999 192 42320 2000 2000
169 52220(2) 1000 998 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
103 6820(1) (2) 3000 2994 200 91420 4000 4000
Cancara Asset Securities LLC Commonwealth Bank of Australia
089 6920(2) 4000 3993 London
Concord Minutemen Capital Co LLC 265 43020 4000 4000
Class A Credit Agricole SA London Branch
193 4320(1) (2) 1000 1000 180 72320 2000 2000
Crown Point Capital Co LLC 176 73120 5000 5000
173 81820(1) 4000 4000 Credit Industrial et Commercial London
173 81920(1) 1000 1000 Branch
Kells Funding LLC 185 82020 3000 3000
166 61520(1) (2)
132 62320(1) (2)
Regency Markets No 1 LLC
113 4920(2)
6000
3000
3000
5979
2991
2999
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
202 52820
DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank New
5000 5000
Sheffield Receivables Corp York 101 6920(2) 3000 2994 180 72120 3000 3000
34936 179 72320 3000 3000
Total ABS Commercial Paper DZ Bank AG London
(Cost $34936) 34936 094 9920 3000 3000
KBC Bank NV Brussels Branch
170 5420 4000 4000
Banking ndash 245 Kookmin Bank New York
Bank of America NA New York 183 4920 1000 1000
Branch La Banque Postale
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 183 51120 4000 4000 002) 178 5420(3) 2000 2000 170 61520 1000 1000
Bank of Montreal Chicago Branch Mitsubishi UFJ Trust amp Banking Corp (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
006) 190 41720(4)
072 31021
Bank of Montreal London Branch
170 4620
2000
3000
3000
2000
3000
3000
179 42920
176 51520
169 52120
164 6220
MUFG Bank Ltd
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
164 72020
172 72820
3000
2000
3000
2000 181 41420
Natixis SA New York Branch
3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Houston Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 013) 184 51320(3) 2000 2000
172 6320
Nordea Bank AB New York Branch
092 9420
3000
3000
3000
3000
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 13 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ndash
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d C O M M E R C I A L PA P E R 5 7
Banking ndash 245 continued
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
188 5420 $3000 $3000
Shizuoka Bank Ltd New York Branch
093 4820 1000 1000
Societe Generale London Branch
180 71720 1000 1000
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd London
161 52820 2000 2000
157 6120 2000 2000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
192 122320 1000 1000
Toronto Dominion Bank London Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 005) 166 52620(3) 2000 2000
164 52720 2000 2000
170 8720 3000 3000
Toronto Dominion Bank New York Branch
189 4320 3000 3000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 025) 163 4620(3) 3000 3000
187 42720 2000 2000
Westpac Banking Corp New York Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 003) 172 51920(3) 2000 2000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 015) 115 6820(3) 2000 2000
109000
Banking ndash 09 Korea Development Bank London
Branch Credit Agricole CIB New York
176 72920 2000 2000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
039) 212 51120(4) 3000 3001 172 8620
Total Certificates Of Deposit
1000 1000
3000 Wells Fargo Bank NA
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 035) 137 4620(3) 1000 1000
(Cost $112000) 112000 4001
Total Corporate NotesBonds
(Cost $4001) 4001
Foreign Agencies ndash 07
Banking ndash 48
DBS Bank Ltd
096 9120(2)
Nationwide Building Society
158 4220(2)
Natixis SA New York Branch
162 62420(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
196 41720(2)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 011) 185 5720(1) (3)
100 6820(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 007) 186 42720(1) (4)
Royal Bank of Canada
071 3921(2)
$2000
2000
2000
2000
4000
4500
3000
2000
$1992
2000
1993
1998
4000
4491
3000
1987
21461
Brokerage ndash 02
JPMorgan Securities LLC
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 016) 197 42320(1) (3) 1000 1000
Foreign Agencies ndash 02
Export Development Canada
153 6220(2) 1000 997
School ndash 05
Yale University
117 4120(2) 2000 2000
Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $25458) 25458
C O R P O R AT E N O T E S B O N D S 0 9
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 14 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash ndash
ndash
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
E U R O D O L L A R T I M E D E P O S I T S 4 0 0
Banking ndash 400
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
003 4120 $18000 $18000
006 4120 3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Toronto Branch
008 4120 12000 12000
Barclays Bank PLC London Branch
030 4120 12000 12000
Commonwealth Bank of Australia London
003 4120 17000 17000
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
006 4120 13000 13000
Credit Suisse AG Cayman Islands Branch
008 4120 15000 15000
DNB Bank ASA New York Branch
003 4120 22000 22000
KBC Bank NV New York Branch
004 4120 16000 16000
Mizuho Bank Ltd New York Branch
005 4120 21000 21000
Societe Generale Cayman Branch
006 4120 9000 9000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
001 4120 8000 8000
003 4120 12000 12000
178000
Total Eurodollar Time Deposits
(Cost $178000) 178000
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 1 8
US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 18
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 004) 013 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $7999)
$3000
5000
$3000
4999
7999
7999
Investments at Amortized Cost
( $362394) 362394
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 18 4 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 184
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $14000 002 4120 14000 14000
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 001 4120 5000 5000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 018 4120 5000 5000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $3000 023 4720 3000 3000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $55000 002 4120 55000 55000
82000
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $82000) 82000
Total Investments ndash 999
(Cost $444394) 444394
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 01 612
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $445006
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 15 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
(1) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements
are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
Corporate Bonds $8561 202 mdash 463 81624 mdash 101546
FHLMC $47086 200 mdash 700 5123 mdash 11149
FNMA $8953 350 mdash 500 7123 mdash 3150
GNMA $611 500 32050
US Treasury Bonds $5 338 51544
US Treasury Notes $19378 113 mdash 288 21522 mdash 22822
Total $84594
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
ABS ndash Asset-Backed Securities
CIB ndash Corporate and Investment Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $444394 $mdash $444394
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 16 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
A M E S S AG E F R O M
BO B B ROW N E
C H I E F I N V E S T M E N T O F F I C E R
The bond market after producing steady gains with low volatility for most of the 12 month period ended March 31 2020 experienced severe disruptions with the outbreak of the coronavirus in early 2020 A combination of supply interruptions and sharply curtailed demand from both consumers and businesses appeared to end the longest economic expansion in US history and set the stage for a domestic and global recession These events brought an immediate response from the US Federal Reserve which cut short-term interest rates from 15 to zero created a wide range of new lending facilities and announced an asset-purchase program that included Treasuries mortgage-backed securities corporate issues and municipal bonds In total the Federal Reserversquos actions dwarfed the remedy for the 2008 financial crisis in both their scope and size The US government also responded with fiscal support in the form of a $22 trillion stimulus package that was passed in late March Policymakers overseas also sought to prop up their economies with monetary and fiscal stimulus designed to offset the impact of the coronavirus
The unprecedented suddenness of the downshift from positive to negative growth was matched by equally historic dislocations in global financial markets Yields on US Treasuries plunged in response to the prospect of a global recession investorsrsquo ldquoflight to safetyrdquo and the Federal Reserversquos accommodative
policies Yields on government bonds hit all-time lows in March with the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury briefly falling below 04 and the 30-year reaching 07 ndash leaving the entire US yield curve beneath 1 for the first time in history These events were accompanied by an inversion of the yield curve meaning that yields for short-term issues were above those of longer-term securities Market conditions normalized somewhat in response to the Federal Reserversquos aggressive actions with yields moving off their lows and the yield curve returning to a more typical slope Nevertheless the benchmark 10-year yield closed the period at 070 on March 31 2020 well below its level of 241 on March 31 2019
Although US Treasuries delivered strong performance during the downturn credit-sensitive areas of the market experienced significant declines that pushed their returns for the full 12-month period into negative territory High-yield corporate bonds weakened due to uncertainty regarding the outlook for economic growth and corporate earnings as well as from the sharp declines in oil prices Investment-grade corporate issues were also adversely affected by these trends although to a lesser extent than high yield bonds In addition higher-grade corporate issues received a significant boost in late March from the Federal Reserversquos announcement that it would include this category of
bonds in its asset-purchase programs US government money market funds for their part represented a notable source of stability amid the unusual volatility across many other areas of the financial markets
While certain segments of the bond market have faced challenges in recent months we would note that the investment-grade Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index gained 315 during the first calendar quarter of 2020 and 893 for the full 12-month period ended March 31 2020 In contrast the SampP 500 Index ndash a key measure of performance for US equities ndash returned -1960 and -698 for these same periods respectively We believe that this helps to illustrate bondsrsquo continued value as a source of potential portfolio diversification particularly in challenging times
Most important please know that our thoughts are with each one of our readers ndash our clients colleagues business partners and everyone else within our community ndash as we strive to overcome this health crisis Thank you for the continued opportunity to manage your assets
Bob Browne Chief Investment Officer Northern Trust
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
This report has been prepared for the general information of Northern Funds shareholders It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless accompanied or preceded by a current Northern Funds summary prospectus or prospectus which contains more complete information about a fundrsquos investment objectives risks fees and expenses Investors are reminded to read a summary prospectus or prospectus carefully before investing or sending money
This report contains certain forward-looking statements about factors that may affect the performance of the Funds in the future These statements are based on Northern Fundsrsquo management predictions and expectations concerning certain future events such as performance of the economy as a whole and of specific industry sectors changes in the levels of interest rates the impact of developing world events and other factors Management believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable although they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict Actual events may cause adjustments in Northern Fundsrsquo management strategies from those currently expected to be employed
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so
The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time
Northern Funds are distributed by Northern Funds Distributors LLC Three Canal Plaza Suite 100 Portland Maine 04101 not affiliated with Northern Trust
2 PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY
6 STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
7 STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
8 STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
9 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
13 SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS
13 MONEY MARKET FUND Ticker Symbol NORXX
17 MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND Ticker Symbol NOMXX
23 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND Ticker Symbol NOGXX
28 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND Ticker Symbol NOSXX
32 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
40 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
41 TAX AND DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION
42 FUND EXPENSES
43 TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
47 INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
48 FOR MORE INFORMATION
NOT FDIC INSURED
May lose value No bank guarantee
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUALL REPORT 1 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
The global financial markets experienced volatility during the 12-month reporting period ended March 31 2020 prompting the US Federal Reserve (the ldquoFedrdquo) to cut its federal funds target rate from a range of 200-225 at the beginning of the period to 000-025 by March 31 2020 The Money Market Fund posted a 185 return in the same period compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeFirst Tier Retail benchmark return of 161
Softening economic data initially prompted the Fed to reduce the target range in three orderly increments of 025 between July and October of 2019 These cuts were enough to restore an upward slope to the money market yield curve after it had inverted for much of 2019 Fears of the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread shutdown of commerce materialized across the globe in early 2020 prompting a sharp repricing of global markets Higher risk assets tumbled with many categories suffering their worst performance since the 2008-2009 financial crisis The Fed reacted to the decline in economic activity of historic proportions reducing rates by total of 15 percentage points in emergency meetings over a two-week span in March 2020 The Fed also committed to purchasing an unlimited amount of US Treasury securities to help restore economic growth
Given our expectations for rate cuts during the reporting period we maintained a long duration (higher interest rate sensitivity) relative to the peer group throughout the period We continued to monitor market pricing closely in search of opportunities to add duration and increase positions in higher quality credits In addition we maintained a strong liquidity profile to accommodate any unexpected outflows
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(041194) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMFIRST TIER RETAIL
185
161
109
090
055
047
075
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund MATURITY
Report Averages which are composites of professionally OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY) 608 managed money market investments with similar
2 - 15 DAYS 54 investment objectives
16 - 30 DAYS 38 Fund portfolio composition is subject to change 31 - 60 DAYS 92
Information about Investment Considerations can be 61 - 97 DAYS 87 found on page 47 98 - 180 DAYS 108
181 - 270 DAYS 02
271 - 366 DAYS 11
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 2 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
The municipal market experienced a significant measure of volatility during the 12-month reporting period ended March 31 2020 While demand for municipal investments was strong throughout most of the period the onset of COVID-19 prompted a significant reversal in demand by period end
The Municipal Money Market Fund returned 115 during the 12-month period compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeTax Free Retail benchmark return of 102 Over the majority of the period we employed a ldquobarbellrdquo approach to the Fundrsquos portfolio duration This strategy ensured that the Fund was well positioned to handle cash volatility as approximately 90 of portfolio assets were invested in daily or weekly variable rate demand notes Holdings in these assets enabled us to navigate fluctuations in cash flows throughout the 12-month period
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(041194) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMTAX FREE RETAIL
115
102
073
057
037
030
318
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the Municipal Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
MATURITY We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund Report Averages which are composites of professionally
OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY) 318 managed money market investments with similar
2 - 15 DAYS 506 investment objectives
31 - 60 DAYS 37 Income from the Fund may be subject to federal 61 - 97 DAYS 114 alternative minimum tax (AMT) and state and local
98 - 180 DAYS 25 taxes
Fund portfolio composition is subject to change
Information about Investment Considerations can be found on page 47
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 3 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
Global markets were volatile during the 12-month period ended March 31 2020 with the federal funds target range falling from 200-225 at the beginning of the period to 000-025 by March 2020 During the same period the US Government Money Market Fund posted a 170 total return compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeGovt and Agencies Retail benchmark return of 139 Softening economic data in 2019 prompted the US Federal Reserve (the ldquoFedrdquo) to reduce short-term rates three times between July and October of 2019 These cuts restored an upward slope to the money market yield curve after it had become inverted earlier in 2019 In early 2020 fears of the COVID-19 pandemic and a gradual and widespread shutdown of commerce materialized across the globe prompting a sharp re-pricing of global markets Risk assets tumbled with many market indices suffering their worst performance since the 2008 financial crisis In response the Fed took a series of actions of historic proportions including the trimming of the federal funds rate by 150 basis points The Fed also committed to purchasing an unlimited volume of US Treasury securities to help boost the economy
The markets for government securities experienced at least three key developments during the reporting period First a confluence of factors including less ample liquidity in the banking system than previously estimated prompted interest rates in the overnight repurchase agreement (repo) market to spike meaningfully in mid-September 2019 The Fed responded by injecting liquidity into the system to calm markets Second in order to provide additional liquidity the Fed began purchasing Treasury bills in October 2019 placing downward pressure on yields Lastly the normal seasonal decline in Treasury bill issuance in second quarter is likely to change to an increase in 2020 as the Treasury Department looks to finance fiscal stimulus measures via the Treasury bill market
Given our expectations for rate cuts the Fund remained long relative to its peer group throughout the period We will continue to monitor market pricing closely and selectively add high quality credits and duration while maintaining a strong liquidity profile to accommodate any unexpected outflows
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(041194) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMGOVT AND AGENCIES RETAIL
170
139
088
068
044
035
027
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the US Government Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund MATURITY
Report Averages which are composites of professionally OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY)
2 - 15 DAYS
16 - 30 DAYS
31 - 60 DAYS
61 - 97 DAYS
98 - 180 DAYS
181 - 270 DAYS
271 - 366 DAYS
367 - 397 DAYS
463 managed money market investments with similar investment objectives 169
40 Fund portfolio composition is subject to change 48
Information about Investment Considerations can be 87 found on page 47 93
66
30
04
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 4 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
Global markets were volatile during the 12-month reporting period ended March 31 2020 with the federal funds target range falling from 200-225 at the beginning of the period to 000-025 by March 2020 During the same reporting period the US Govshyernment Select Money Market Fund posted a 169 total return compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeGovt and Agencies Retail benchmark return of 139 Softening economic data in 2019 prompted the US Federal Reserve (the ldquoFedrdquo) to reduce short-term rates three times between July and October of 2019 These cuts restored an upward slope to the money market yield curve after it had become inverted earlier in 2019 In early 2020 fears of a global coronavirus pandemic and a gradual and widespread shutdown of commerce materialized across the globe prompting a sharp re-pricing of global markets Risk assets tumbled with many market indices suffering their worst performance since the 2008 financial crisis In response the Fed took a series of actions of historic proportions including the trimming of the federal funds rate by 150 basis points The Fed also committed to purchasing an unlimited volume of US Treasury securities to help boost the economy
The markets for government securities experienced at least three key developments during the period First a confluence of factors including less ample liquidity in the banking system than previously estimated prompted interest rates in the overnight repurchase agreement (repo) market to spike meaningfully in mid-September 2019 The Fed responded by injecting liquidity into the system to calm markets Second in order to provide additional liquidity the Fed began purchasing Treasury bills in October 2019 placing downward pressure on yields Lastly the normal seasonal decline in Treasury bill issuance in second quarter is likely to change to an increase in 2020 as the Treasury Department looks to finance fiscal stimulus measures via the Treasury bill market
Given our expectations for rate cuts during the fiscal year the Fund remained long relative to its peer group throughout the period We will continue to monitor market pricing closely and selectively add high quality credits and duration while maintaining a strong liquidity profile to accommodate any unexpected outflows
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(121294) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMGOVT AND AGENCIES RETAIL
169
139
088
068
045
035
029
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the US Government Select Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund MATURITY
Report Averages which are composites of professionally OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY)
2 - 15 DAYS
16 - 30 DAYS
31 - 60 DAYS
61 - 97 DAYS
98 - 180 DAYS
181 - 270 DAYS
271 - 366 DAYS
367 - 397 DAYS
521 managed money market investments with similar investment objectives 66
65 Fund portfolio composition is subject to change 57
Information about Investment Considerations can be 76 found on page 47
119
61
32
03
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 5 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F A S S E T S A N D L I A B I L I T I E S MARCH 31 2020
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
Amounts in thousands except per share data MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
ASSETS
Investments at amortized cost which approximates fair value $362394 $206113 $8760514 $2014155
Repurchase agreements at cost which approximates fair value 82000 mdash 8091456 1643871
Cash 602 9297 mdash mdash
Interest income receivable 581 982 20281 4461
Receivable for securities sold 20096 mdash mdash 24997
Receivable for fund shares sold 57 120 121922 4691
Receivable from affiliates for expense reimbursements 10 6 34 11
Prepaid and other assets 8 7 12 8
Total Assets 465748 216525 16994219 3692194
LIABILITIES
Cash overdraft mdash mdash 21522 mdash
Payable for securities purchased 20096 1002 330686 84975
Payable for fund shares redeemed mdash mdash 44583 2463
Distributions payable to shareholders
Payable to affiliates
556 358 9099 1921
Management fees 28 12 1033 223
Custody fees mdash 2 97 17
Transfer agent fees 9 4 239 51
Trustee fees 2 mdash 23 19
Accrued other liabilities 51 50 278 82
Total Liabilities 20742 1428 407560 89751
Net Assets $445006 $215097 $16586659 $3602443
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
Capital stock $445044 $215126 $16586639 $3602445
Distributable earnings (38) (29) 20 (2)
Net Assets $445006 $215097 $16586659 $3602443
Shares Outstanding ($0001 par value unlimited authorization)
Net Asset Value Redemption and Offering Price Per Share
445002
$100
215061
$100
16586672
$100
3602483
$100
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 6 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F O P E R AT I O N S FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31 2020
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
Amounts in thousands MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest income $12659 $5189 $320690 $59934
Income from affiliates (Note 6) mdash mdash 36 mdash
Total Investment Income 12659 5189 320726 59934
EXPENSES
Management fees 1919 1144 51740 9755
Custody fees 72 36 1316 265
Transfer agent fees 59 60 2755 519
Registration fees 23 22 36 28
Printing fees 26 26 196 50
Professional fees 44 44 268 83
Trustee fees 9 9 162 36
Other 19 23 147 41
Total Expenses 2171 1364 56620 10777
Less expenses contractually reimbursed by investment adviser (163) (136) (1495) (355)
Less custodian credits (8) (3) (15) (24)
Net Expenses 2000 1225 55110 10398
Net Investment Income 10659 3964 265616 49536
NET REALIZED GAINS
Net realized gains (losses) on
Investments 8 37 86 22
Net Gains 8 37 86 22
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $10667 $4001 $265702 $49558
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 7 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F C H A N G E S I N N E T A S S E T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
Amounts in thousands 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019
OPERATIONS
Net investment income $10659 $10300 $3964 $7587 $265616 $312278 $49536 $64202
Net realized gains 8 3 37 mdash 86 261 22 45
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations 10667 10303 4001 7587 265702 312539 49558 64247
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS(1)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share
(163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
Transactions (163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
Distributable earnings
Total Distributions Paid
(10660) (10303)
(10660) (10303)
(3964) (7589)
(3964) (7589)
(265869) (312392)
(265869) (312392)
(49578) (64226)
(49578) (64226) Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
NET ASSETS
(163364) 272351 (253029) (408770) (2626920) 3217660 (188737) 13133
Beginning of year 608370 336019 468126 876896 19213579 15995919 3791180 3778047
End of year $445006 $608370 $215097 $468126 $16586659 $19213579 $3602443 $3791180
(1) The number of shares approximates the dollar amount of transactions
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 8 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash(4)
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
mdash
(002)
(002)
mdash
(002)
(001)
mdash
(001)
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(7)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
185 205 110 042 005
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$445006 $608370 $336019 $164606 $7561742
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(8) 034 035 029 034 026
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 038 043 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(8)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
184 205 109 022 005
credits 181 202 095 019 (005)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $136000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $8190000 The voluntary cash
contribution represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (5) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (6) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (7) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (8) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 9 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 001 001 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) mdash(2) mdash mdash 001 mdash(2)
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash
Total from Investment Operations 001 001 001 001 mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash(5)
(001)
mdash(4)
mdash(5)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(6)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
115 116 079 053 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$215097 $468126 $876896 $203856 $5660876
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(7) 035 035 022 034 009
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 039 037 038 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(7)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
115 114 081 011 001
credits 111 112 065 008 (026)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $91000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (5) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (6) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (7) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 10 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
170 179 078 012 001
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$16586659 $19213579 $15995919 $16481941 $3359761
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 022
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 036 036 036 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
170 180 077 015 001
credits 169 179 076 014 (013)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 11 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
169 179 078 015 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$3602443 $3791180 $3778047 $3281067 $3887950
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 020
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 037 037 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
169 178 080 014 001
credits 167 176 078 013 (015)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 12 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
A B S C O M M E RC I A L PA P E R 7 9 C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d
ABS Other ndash 79 Banking ndash 245 continued
Antalis SA (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
186 4820(1) (2) $1000 $1000 009) 194 51820(3) $3000 $3000
194 61020(1) (2) 3000 2989 179 81720 3000 3000
Barton Capital SA BNP Paribas SA New York Branch
180 41420(2) 2000 1999 192 42320 2000 2000
169 52220(2) 1000 998 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
103 6820(1) (2) 3000 2994 200 91420 4000 4000
Cancara Asset Securities LLC Commonwealth Bank of Australia
089 6920(2) 4000 3993 London
Concord Minutemen Capital Co LLC 265 43020 4000 4000
Class A Credit Agricole SA London Branch
193 4320(1) (2) 1000 1000 180 72320 2000 2000
Crown Point Capital Co LLC 176 73120 5000 5000
173 81820(1) 4000 4000 Credit Industrial et Commercial London
173 81920(1) 1000 1000 Branch
Kells Funding LLC 185 82020 3000 3000
166 61520(1) (2)
132 62320(1) (2)
Regency Markets No 1 LLC
113 4920(2)
6000
3000
3000
5979
2991
2999
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
202 52820
DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank New
5000 5000
Sheffield Receivables Corp York 101 6920(2) 3000 2994 180 72120 3000 3000
34936 179 72320 3000 3000
Total ABS Commercial Paper DZ Bank AG London
(Cost $34936) 34936 094 9920 3000 3000
KBC Bank NV Brussels Branch
170 5420 4000 4000
Banking ndash 245 Kookmin Bank New York
Bank of America NA New York 183 4920 1000 1000
Branch La Banque Postale
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 183 51120 4000 4000 002) 178 5420(3) 2000 2000 170 61520 1000 1000
Bank of Montreal Chicago Branch Mitsubishi UFJ Trust amp Banking Corp (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
006) 190 41720(4)
072 31021
Bank of Montreal London Branch
170 4620
2000
3000
3000
2000
3000
3000
179 42920
176 51520
169 52120
164 6220
MUFG Bank Ltd
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
164 72020
172 72820
3000
2000
3000
2000 181 41420
Natixis SA New York Branch
3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Houston Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 013) 184 51320(3) 2000 2000
172 6320
Nordea Bank AB New York Branch
092 9420
3000
3000
3000
3000
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 13 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ndash
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d C O M M E R C I A L PA P E R 5 7
Banking ndash 245 continued
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
188 5420 $3000 $3000
Shizuoka Bank Ltd New York Branch
093 4820 1000 1000
Societe Generale London Branch
180 71720 1000 1000
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd London
161 52820 2000 2000
157 6120 2000 2000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
192 122320 1000 1000
Toronto Dominion Bank London Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 005) 166 52620(3) 2000 2000
164 52720 2000 2000
170 8720 3000 3000
Toronto Dominion Bank New York Branch
189 4320 3000 3000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 025) 163 4620(3) 3000 3000
187 42720 2000 2000
Westpac Banking Corp New York Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 003) 172 51920(3) 2000 2000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 015) 115 6820(3) 2000 2000
109000
Banking ndash 09 Korea Development Bank London
Branch Credit Agricole CIB New York
176 72920 2000 2000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
039) 212 51120(4) 3000 3001 172 8620
Total Certificates Of Deposit
1000 1000
3000 Wells Fargo Bank NA
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 035) 137 4620(3) 1000 1000
(Cost $112000) 112000 4001
Total Corporate NotesBonds
(Cost $4001) 4001
Foreign Agencies ndash 07
Banking ndash 48
DBS Bank Ltd
096 9120(2)
Nationwide Building Society
158 4220(2)
Natixis SA New York Branch
162 62420(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
196 41720(2)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 011) 185 5720(1) (3)
100 6820(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 007) 186 42720(1) (4)
Royal Bank of Canada
071 3921(2)
$2000
2000
2000
2000
4000
4500
3000
2000
$1992
2000
1993
1998
4000
4491
3000
1987
21461
Brokerage ndash 02
JPMorgan Securities LLC
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 016) 197 42320(1) (3) 1000 1000
Foreign Agencies ndash 02
Export Development Canada
153 6220(2) 1000 997
School ndash 05
Yale University
117 4120(2) 2000 2000
Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $25458) 25458
C O R P O R AT E N O T E S B O N D S 0 9
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 14 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash ndash
ndash
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
E U R O D O L L A R T I M E D E P O S I T S 4 0 0
Banking ndash 400
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
003 4120 $18000 $18000
006 4120 3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Toronto Branch
008 4120 12000 12000
Barclays Bank PLC London Branch
030 4120 12000 12000
Commonwealth Bank of Australia London
003 4120 17000 17000
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
006 4120 13000 13000
Credit Suisse AG Cayman Islands Branch
008 4120 15000 15000
DNB Bank ASA New York Branch
003 4120 22000 22000
KBC Bank NV New York Branch
004 4120 16000 16000
Mizuho Bank Ltd New York Branch
005 4120 21000 21000
Societe Generale Cayman Branch
006 4120 9000 9000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
001 4120 8000 8000
003 4120 12000 12000
178000
Total Eurodollar Time Deposits
(Cost $178000) 178000
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 1 8
US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 18
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 004) 013 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $7999)
$3000
5000
$3000
4999
7999
7999
Investments at Amortized Cost
( $362394) 362394
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 18 4 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 184
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $14000 002 4120 14000 14000
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 001 4120 5000 5000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 018 4120 5000 5000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $3000 023 4720 3000 3000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $55000 002 4120 55000 55000
82000
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $82000) 82000
Total Investments ndash 999
(Cost $444394) 444394
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 01 612
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $445006
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 15 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
(1) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements
are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
Corporate Bonds $8561 202 mdash 463 81624 mdash 101546
FHLMC $47086 200 mdash 700 5123 mdash 11149
FNMA $8953 350 mdash 500 7123 mdash 3150
GNMA $611 500 32050
US Treasury Bonds $5 338 51544
US Treasury Notes $19378 113 mdash 288 21522 mdash 22822
Total $84594
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
ABS ndash Asset-Backed Securities
CIB ndash Corporate and Investment Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $444394 $mdash $444394
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 16 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
This report has been prepared for the general information of Northern Funds shareholders It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless accompanied or preceded by a current Northern Funds summary prospectus or prospectus which contains more complete information about a fundrsquos investment objectives risks fees and expenses Investors are reminded to read a summary prospectus or prospectus carefully before investing or sending money
This report contains certain forward-looking statements about factors that may affect the performance of the Funds in the future These statements are based on Northern Fundsrsquo management predictions and expectations concerning certain future events such as performance of the economy as a whole and of specific industry sectors changes in the levels of interest rates the impact of developing world events and other factors Management believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable although they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict Actual events may cause adjustments in Northern Fundsrsquo management strategies from those currently expected to be employed
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so
The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time
Northern Funds are distributed by Northern Funds Distributors LLC Three Canal Plaza Suite 100 Portland Maine 04101 not affiliated with Northern Trust
2 PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY
6 STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
7 STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
8 STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
9 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
13 SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS
13 MONEY MARKET FUND Ticker Symbol NORXX
17 MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND Ticker Symbol NOMXX
23 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND Ticker Symbol NOGXX
28 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND Ticker Symbol NOSXX
32 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
40 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
41 TAX AND DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION
42 FUND EXPENSES
43 TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
47 INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
48 FOR MORE INFORMATION
NOT FDIC INSURED
May lose value No bank guarantee
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUALL REPORT 1 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
The global financial markets experienced volatility during the 12-month reporting period ended March 31 2020 prompting the US Federal Reserve (the ldquoFedrdquo) to cut its federal funds target rate from a range of 200-225 at the beginning of the period to 000-025 by March 31 2020 The Money Market Fund posted a 185 return in the same period compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeFirst Tier Retail benchmark return of 161
Softening economic data initially prompted the Fed to reduce the target range in three orderly increments of 025 between July and October of 2019 These cuts were enough to restore an upward slope to the money market yield curve after it had inverted for much of 2019 Fears of the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread shutdown of commerce materialized across the globe in early 2020 prompting a sharp repricing of global markets Higher risk assets tumbled with many categories suffering their worst performance since the 2008-2009 financial crisis The Fed reacted to the decline in economic activity of historic proportions reducing rates by total of 15 percentage points in emergency meetings over a two-week span in March 2020 The Fed also committed to purchasing an unlimited amount of US Treasury securities to help restore economic growth
Given our expectations for rate cuts during the reporting period we maintained a long duration (higher interest rate sensitivity) relative to the peer group throughout the period We continued to monitor market pricing closely in search of opportunities to add duration and increase positions in higher quality credits In addition we maintained a strong liquidity profile to accommodate any unexpected outflows
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(041194) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMFIRST TIER RETAIL
185
161
109
090
055
047
075
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund MATURITY
Report Averages which are composites of professionally OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY) 608 managed money market investments with similar
2 - 15 DAYS 54 investment objectives
16 - 30 DAYS 38 Fund portfolio composition is subject to change 31 - 60 DAYS 92
Information about Investment Considerations can be 61 - 97 DAYS 87 found on page 47 98 - 180 DAYS 108
181 - 270 DAYS 02
271 - 366 DAYS 11
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 2 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
The municipal market experienced a significant measure of volatility during the 12-month reporting period ended March 31 2020 While demand for municipal investments was strong throughout most of the period the onset of COVID-19 prompted a significant reversal in demand by period end
The Municipal Money Market Fund returned 115 during the 12-month period compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeTax Free Retail benchmark return of 102 Over the majority of the period we employed a ldquobarbellrdquo approach to the Fundrsquos portfolio duration This strategy ensured that the Fund was well positioned to handle cash volatility as approximately 90 of portfolio assets were invested in daily or weekly variable rate demand notes Holdings in these assets enabled us to navigate fluctuations in cash flows throughout the 12-month period
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(041194) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMTAX FREE RETAIL
115
102
073
057
037
030
318
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the Municipal Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
MATURITY We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund Report Averages which are composites of professionally
OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY) 318 managed money market investments with similar
2 - 15 DAYS 506 investment objectives
31 - 60 DAYS 37 Income from the Fund may be subject to federal 61 - 97 DAYS 114 alternative minimum tax (AMT) and state and local
98 - 180 DAYS 25 taxes
Fund portfolio composition is subject to change
Information about Investment Considerations can be found on page 47
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 3 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
Global markets were volatile during the 12-month period ended March 31 2020 with the federal funds target range falling from 200-225 at the beginning of the period to 000-025 by March 2020 During the same period the US Government Money Market Fund posted a 170 total return compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeGovt and Agencies Retail benchmark return of 139 Softening economic data in 2019 prompted the US Federal Reserve (the ldquoFedrdquo) to reduce short-term rates three times between July and October of 2019 These cuts restored an upward slope to the money market yield curve after it had become inverted earlier in 2019 In early 2020 fears of the COVID-19 pandemic and a gradual and widespread shutdown of commerce materialized across the globe prompting a sharp re-pricing of global markets Risk assets tumbled with many market indices suffering their worst performance since the 2008 financial crisis In response the Fed took a series of actions of historic proportions including the trimming of the federal funds rate by 150 basis points The Fed also committed to purchasing an unlimited volume of US Treasury securities to help boost the economy
The markets for government securities experienced at least three key developments during the reporting period First a confluence of factors including less ample liquidity in the banking system than previously estimated prompted interest rates in the overnight repurchase agreement (repo) market to spike meaningfully in mid-September 2019 The Fed responded by injecting liquidity into the system to calm markets Second in order to provide additional liquidity the Fed began purchasing Treasury bills in October 2019 placing downward pressure on yields Lastly the normal seasonal decline in Treasury bill issuance in second quarter is likely to change to an increase in 2020 as the Treasury Department looks to finance fiscal stimulus measures via the Treasury bill market
Given our expectations for rate cuts the Fund remained long relative to its peer group throughout the period We will continue to monitor market pricing closely and selectively add high quality credits and duration while maintaining a strong liquidity profile to accommodate any unexpected outflows
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(041194) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMGOVT AND AGENCIES RETAIL
170
139
088
068
044
035
027
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the US Government Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund MATURITY
Report Averages which are composites of professionally OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY)
2 - 15 DAYS
16 - 30 DAYS
31 - 60 DAYS
61 - 97 DAYS
98 - 180 DAYS
181 - 270 DAYS
271 - 366 DAYS
367 - 397 DAYS
463 managed money market investments with similar investment objectives 169
40 Fund portfolio composition is subject to change 48
Information about Investment Considerations can be 87 found on page 47 93
66
30
04
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 4 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
Global markets were volatile during the 12-month reporting period ended March 31 2020 with the federal funds target range falling from 200-225 at the beginning of the period to 000-025 by March 2020 During the same reporting period the US Govshyernment Select Money Market Fund posted a 169 total return compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeGovt and Agencies Retail benchmark return of 139 Softening economic data in 2019 prompted the US Federal Reserve (the ldquoFedrdquo) to reduce short-term rates three times between July and October of 2019 These cuts restored an upward slope to the money market yield curve after it had become inverted earlier in 2019 In early 2020 fears of a global coronavirus pandemic and a gradual and widespread shutdown of commerce materialized across the globe prompting a sharp re-pricing of global markets Risk assets tumbled with many market indices suffering their worst performance since the 2008 financial crisis In response the Fed took a series of actions of historic proportions including the trimming of the federal funds rate by 150 basis points The Fed also committed to purchasing an unlimited volume of US Treasury securities to help boost the economy
The markets for government securities experienced at least three key developments during the period First a confluence of factors including less ample liquidity in the banking system than previously estimated prompted interest rates in the overnight repurchase agreement (repo) market to spike meaningfully in mid-September 2019 The Fed responded by injecting liquidity into the system to calm markets Second in order to provide additional liquidity the Fed began purchasing Treasury bills in October 2019 placing downward pressure on yields Lastly the normal seasonal decline in Treasury bill issuance in second quarter is likely to change to an increase in 2020 as the Treasury Department looks to finance fiscal stimulus measures via the Treasury bill market
Given our expectations for rate cuts during the fiscal year the Fund remained long relative to its peer group throughout the period We will continue to monitor market pricing closely and selectively add high quality credits and duration while maintaining a strong liquidity profile to accommodate any unexpected outflows
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(121294) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMGOVT AND AGENCIES RETAIL
169
139
088
068
045
035
029
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the US Government Select Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund MATURITY
Report Averages which are composites of professionally OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY)
2 - 15 DAYS
16 - 30 DAYS
31 - 60 DAYS
61 - 97 DAYS
98 - 180 DAYS
181 - 270 DAYS
271 - 366 DAYS
367 - 397 DAYS
521 managed money market investments with similar investment objectives 66
65 Fund portfolio composition is subject to change 57
Information about Investment Considerations can be 76 found on page 47
119
61
32
03
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 5 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F A S S E T S A N D L I A B I L I T I E S MARCH 31 2020
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
Amounts in thousands except per share data MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
ASSETS
Investments at amortized cost which approximates fair value $362394 $206113 $8760514 $2014155
Repurchase agreements at cost which approximates fair value 82000 mdash 8091456 1643871
Cash 602 9297 mdash mdash
Interest income receivable 581 982 20281 4461
Receivable for securities sold 20096 mdash mdash 24997
Receivable for fund shares sold 57 120 121922 4691
Receivable from affiliates for expense reimbursements 10 6 34 11
Prepaid and other assets 8 7 12 8
Total Assets 465748 216525 16994219 3692194
LIABILITIES
Cash overdraft mdash mdash 21522 mdash
Payable for securities purchased 20096 1002 330686 84975
Payable for fund shares redeemed mdash mdash 44583 2463
Distributions payable to shareholders
Payable to affiliates
556 358 9099 1921
Management fees 28 12 1033 223
Custody fees mdash 2 97 17
Transfer agent fees 9 4 239 51
Trustee fees 2 mdash 23 19
Accrued other liabilities 51 50 278 82
Total Liabilities 20742 1428 407560 89751
Net Assets $445006 $215097 $16586659 $3602443
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
Capital stock $445044 $215126 $16586639 $3602445
Distributable earnings (38) (29) 20 (2)
Net Assets $445006 $215097 $16586659 $3602443
Shares Outstanding ($0001 par value unlimited authorization)
Net Asset Value Redemption and Offering Price Per Share
445002
$100
215061
$100
16586672
$100
3602483
$100
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 6 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F O P E R AT I O N S FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31 2020
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
Amounts in thousands MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest income $12659 $5189 $320690 $59934
Income from affiliates (Note 6) mdash mdash 36 mdash
Total Investment Income 12659 5189 320726 59934
EXPENSES
Management fees 1919 1144 51740 9755
Custody fees 72 36 1316 265
Transfer agent fees 59 60 2755 519
Registration fees 23 22 36 28
Printing fees 26 26 196 50
Professional fees 44 44 268 83
Trustee fees 9 9 162 36
Other 19 23 147 41
Total Expenses 2171 1364 56620 10777
Less expenses contractually reimbursed by investment adviser (163) (136) (1495) (355)
Less custodian credits (8) (3) (15) (24)
Net Expenses 2000 1225 55110 10398
Net Investment Income 10659 3964 265616 49536
NET REALIZED GAINS
Net realized gains (losses) on
Investments 8 37 86 22
Net Gains 8 37 86 22
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $10667 $4001 $265702 $49558
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 7 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F C H A N G E S I N N E T A S S E T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
Amounts in thousands 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019
OPERATIONS
Net investment income $10659 $10300 $3964 $7587 $265616 $312278 $49536 $64202
Net realized gains 8 3 37 mdash 86 261 22 45
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations 10667 10303 4001 7587 265702 312539 49558 64247
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS(1)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share
(163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
Transactions (163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
Distributable earnings
Total Distributions Paid
(10660) (10303)
(10660) (10303)
(3964) (7589)
(3964) (7589)
(265869) (312392)
(265869) (312392)
(49578) (64226)
(49578) (64226) Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
NET ASSETS
(163364) 272351 (253029) (408770) (2626920) 3217660 (188737) 13133
Beginning of year 608370 336019 468126 876896 19213579 15995919 3791180 3778047
End of year $445006 $608370 $215097 $468126 $16586659 $19213579 $3602443 $3791180
(1) The number of shares approximates the dollar amount of transactions
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 8 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash(4)
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
mdash
(002)
(002)
mdash
(002)
(001)
mdash
(001)
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(7)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
185 205 110 042 005
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$445006 $608370 $336019 $164606 $7561742
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(8) 034 035 029 034 026
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 038 043 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(8)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
184 205 109 022 005
credits 181 202 095 019 (005)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $136000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $8190000 The voluntary cash
contribution represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (5) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (6) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (7) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (8) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 9 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 001 001 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) mdash(2) mdash mdash 001 mdash(2)
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash
Total from Investment Operations 001 001 001 001 mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash(5)
(001)
mdash(4)
mdash(5)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(6)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
115 116 079 053 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$215097 $468126 $876896 $203856 $5660876
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(7) 035 035 022 034 009
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 039 037 038 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(7)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
115 114 081 011 001
credits 111 112 065 008 (026)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $91000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (5) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (6) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (7) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 10 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
170 179 078 012 001
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$16586659 $19213579 $15995919 $16481941 $3359761
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 022
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 036 036 036 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
170 180 077 015 001
credits 169 179 076 014 (013)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 11 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
169 179 078 015 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$3602443 $3791180 $3778047 $3281067 $3887950
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 020
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 037 037 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
169 178 080 014 001
credits 167 176 078 013 (015)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 12 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
A B S C O M M E RC I A L PA P E R 7 9 C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d
ABS Other ndash 79 Banking ndash 245 continued
Antalis SA (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
186 4820(1) (2) $1000 $1000 009) 194 51820(3) $3000 $3000
194 61020(1) (2) 3000 2989 179 81720 3000 3000
Barton Capital SA BNP Paribas SA New York Branch
180 41420(2) 2000 1999 192 42320 2000 2000
169 52220(2) 1000 998 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
103 6820(1) (2) 3000 2994 200 91420 4000 4000
Cancara Asset Securities LLC Commonwealth Bank of Australia
089 6920(2) 4000 3993 London
Concord Minutemen Capital Co LLC 265 43020 4000 4000
Class A Credit Agricole SA London Branch
193 4320(1) (2) 1000 1000 180 72320 2000 2000
Crown Point Capital Co LLC 176 73120 5000 5000
173 81820(1) 4000 4000 Credit Industrial et Commercial London
173 81920(1) 1000 1000 Branch
Kells Funding LLC 185 82020 3000 3000
166 61520(1) (2)
132 62320(1) (2)
Regency Markets No 1 LLC
113 4920(2)
6000
3000
3000
5979
2991
2999
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
202 52820
DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank New
5000 5000
Sheffield Receivables Corp York 101 6920(2) 3000 2994 180 72120 3000 3000
34936 179 72320 3000 3000
Total ABS Commercial Paper DZ Bank AG London
(Cost $34936) 34936 094 9920 3000 3000
KBC Bank NV Brussels Branch
170 5420 4000 4000
Banking ndash 245 Kookmin Bank New York
Bank of America NA New York 183 4920 1000 1000
Branch La Banque Postale
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 183 51120 4000 4000 002) 178 5420(3) 2000 2000 170 61520 1000 1000
Bank of Montreal Chicago Branch Mitsubishi UFJ Trust amp Banking Corp (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
006) 190 41720(4)
072 31021
Bank of Montreal London Branch
170 4620
2000
3000
3000
2000
3000
3000
179 42920
176 51520
169 52120
164 6220
MUFG Bank Ltd
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
164 72020
172 72820
3000
2000
3000
2000 181 41420
Natixis SA New York Branch
3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Houston Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 013) 184 51320(3) 2000 2000
172 6320
Nordea Bank AB New York Branch
092 9420
3000
3000
3000
3000
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 13 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ndash
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d C O M M E R C I A L PA P E R 5 7
Banking ndash 245 continued
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
188 5420 $3000 $3000
Shizuoka Bank Ltd New York Branch
093 4820 1000 1000
Societe Generale London Branch
180 71720 1000 1000
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd London
161 52820 2000 2000
157 6120 2000 2000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
192 122320 1000 1000
Toronto Dominion Bank London Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 005) 166 52620(3) 2000 2000
164 52720 2000 2000
170 8720 3000 3000
Toronto Dominion Bank New York Branch
189 4320 3000 3000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 025) 163 4620(3) 3000 3000
187 42720 2000 2000
Westpac Banking Corp New York Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 003) 172 51920(3) 2000 2000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 015) 115 6820(3) 2000 2000
109000
Banking ndash 09 Korea Development Bank London
Branch Credit Agricole CIB New York
176 72920 2000 2000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
039) 212 51120(4) 3000 3001 172 8620
Total Certificates Of Deposit
1000 1000
3000 Wells Fargo Bank NA
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 035) 137 4620(3) 1000 1000
(Cost $112000) 112000 4001
Total Corporate NotesBonds
(Cost $4001) 4001
Foreign Agencies ndash 07
Banking ndash 48
DBS Bank Ltd
096 9120(2)
Nationwide Building Society
158 4220(2)
Natixis SA New York Branch
162 62420(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
196 41720(2)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 011) 185 5720(1) (3)
100 6820(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 007) 186 42720(1) (4)
Royal Bank of Canada
071 3921(2)
$2000
2000
2000
2000
4000
4500
3000
2000
$1992
2000
1993
1998
4000
4491
3000
1987
21461
Brokerage ndash 02
JPMorgan Securities LLC
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 016) 197 42320(1) (3) 1000 1000
Foreign Agencies ndash 02
Export Development Canada
153 6220(2) 1000 997
School ndash 05
Yale University
117 4120(2) 2000 2000
Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $25458) 25458
C O R P O R AT E N O T E S B O N D S 0 9
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 14 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash ndash
ndash
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
E U R O D O L L A R T I M E D E P O S I T S 4 0 0
Banking ndash 400
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
003 4120 $18000 $18000
006 4120 3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Toronto Branch
008 4120 12000 12000
Barclays Bank PLC London Branch
030 4120 12000 12000
Commonwealth Bank of Australia London
003 4120 17000 17000
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
006 4120 13000 13000
Credit Suisse AG Cayman Islands Branch
008 4120 15000 15000
DNB Bank ASA New York Branch
003 4120 22000 22000
KBC Bank NV New York Branch
004 4120 16000 16000
Mizuho Bank Ltd New York Branch
005 4120 21000 21000
Societe Generale Cayman Branch
006 4120 9000 9000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
001 4120 8000 8000
003 4120 12000 12000
178000
Total Eurodollar Time Deposits
(Cost $178000) 178000
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 1 8
US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 18
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 004) 013 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $7999)
$3000
5000
$3000
4999
7999
7999
Investments at Amortized Cost
( $362394) 362394
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 18 4 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 184
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $14000 002 4120 14000 14000
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 001 4120 5000 5000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 018 4120 5000 5000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $3000 023 4720 3000 3000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $55000 002 4120 55000 55000
82000
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $82000) 82000
Total Investments ndash 999
(Cost $444394) 444394
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 01 612
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $445006
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 15 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
(1) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements
are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
Corporate Bonds $8561 202 mdash 463 81624 mdash 101546
FHLMC $47086 200 mdash 700 5123 mdash 11149
FNMA $8953 350 mdash 500 7123 mdash 3150
GNMA $611 500 32050
US Treasury Bonds $5 338 51544
US Treasury Notes $19378 113 mdash 288 21522 mdash 22822
Total $84594
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
ABS ndash Asset-Backed Securities
CIB ndash Corporate and Investment Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $444394 $mdash $444394
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 16 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
The global financial markets experienced volatility during the 12-month reporting period ended March 31 2020 prompting the US Federal Reserve (the ldquoFedrdquo) to cut its federal funds target rate from a range of 200-225 at the beginning of the period to 000-025 by March 31 2020 The Money Market Fund posted a 185 return in the same period compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeFirst Tier Retail benchmark return of 161
Softening economic data initially prompted the Fed to reduce the target range in three orderly increments of 025 between July and October of 2019 These cuts were enough to restore an upward slope to the money market yield curve after it had inverted for much of 2019 Fears of the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread shutdown of commerce materialized across the globe in early 2020 prompting a sharp repricing of global markets Higher risk assets tumbled with many categories suffering their worst performance since the 2008-2009 financial crisis The Fed reacted to the decline in economic activity of historic proportions reducing rates by total of 15 percentage points in emergency meetings over a two-week span in March 2020 The Fed also committed to purchasing an unlimited amount of US Treasury securities to help restore economic growth
Given our expectations for rate cuts during the reporting period we maintained a long duration (higher interest rate sensitivity) relative to the peer group throughout the period We continued to monitor market pricing closely in search of opportunities to add duration and increase positions in higher quality credits In addition we maintained a strong liquidity profile to accommodate any unexpected outflows
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(041194) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMFIRST TIER RETAIL
185
161
109
090
055
047
075
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund MATURITY
Report Averages which are composites of professionally OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY) 608 managed money market investments with similar
2 - 15 DAYS 54 investment objectives
16 - 30 DAYS 38 Fund portfolio composition is subject to change 31 - 60 DAYS 92
Information about Investment Considerations can be 61 - 97 DAYS 87 found on page 47 98 - 180 DAYS 108
181 - 270 DAYS 02
271 - 366 DAYS 11
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 2 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
The municipal market experienced a significant measure of volatility during the 12-month reporting period ended March 31 2020 While demand for municipal investments was strong throughout most of the period the onset of COVID-19 prompted a significant reversal in demand by period end
The Municipal Money Market Fund returned 115 during the 12-month period compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeTax Free Retail benchmark return of 102 Over the majority of the period we employed a ldquobarbellrdquo approach to the Fundrsquos portfolio duration This strategy ensured that the Fund was well positioned to handle cash volatility as approximately 90 of portfolio assets were invested in daily or weekly variable rate demand notes Holdings in these assets enabled us to navigate fluctuations in cash flows throughout the 12-month period
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(041194) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMTAX FREE RETAIL
115
102
073
057
037
030
318
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the Municipal Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
MATURITY We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund Report Averages which are composites of professionally
OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY) 318 managed money market investments with similar
2 - 15 DAYS 506 investment objectives
31 - 60 DAYS 37 Income from the Fund may be subject to federal 61 - 97 DAYS 114 alternative minimum tax (AMT) and state and local
98 - 180 DAYS 25 taxes
Fund portfolio composition is subject to change
Information about Investment Considerations can be found on page 47
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 3 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
Global markets were volatile during the 12-month period ended March 31 2020 with the federal funds target range falling from 200-225 at the beginning of the period to 000-025 by March 2020 During the same period the US Government Money Market Fund posted a 170 total return compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeGovt and Agencies Retail benchmark return of 139 Softening economic data in 2019 prompted the US Federal Reserve (the ldquoFedrdquo) to reduce short-term rates three times between July and October of 2019 These cuts restored an upward slope to the money market yield curve after it had become inverted earlier in 2019 In early 2020 fears of the COVID-19 pandemic and a gradual and widespread shutdown of commerce materialized across the globe prompting a sharp re-pricing of global markets Risk assets tumbled with many market indices suffering their worst performance since the 2008 financial crisis In response the Fed took a series of actions of historic proportions including the trimming of the federal funds rate by 150 basis points The Fed also committed to purchasing an unlimited volume of US Treasury securities to help boost the economy
The markets for government securities experienced at least three key developments during the reporting period First a confluence of factors including less ample liquidity in the banking system than previously estimated prompted interest rates in the overnight repurchase agreement (repo) market to spike meaningfully in mid-September 2019 The Fed responded by injecting liquidity into the system to calm markets Second in order to provide additional liquidity the Fed began purchasing Treasury bills in October 2019 placing downward pressure on yields Lastly the normal seasonal decline in Treasury bill issuance in second quarter is likely to change to an increase in 2020 as the Treasury Department looks to finance fiscal stimulus measures via the Treasury bill market
Given our expectations for rate cuts the Fund remained long relative to its peer group throughout the period We will continue to monitor market pricing closely and selectively add high quality credits and duration while maintaining a strong liquidity profile to accommodate any unexpected outflows
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(041194) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMGOVT AND AGENCIES RETAIL
170
139
088
068
044
035
027
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the US Government Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund MATURITY
Report Averages which are composites of professionally OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY)
2 - 15 DAYS
16 - 30 DAYS
31 - 60 DAYS
61 - 97 DAYS
98 - 180 DAYS
181 - 270 DAYS
271 - 366 DAYS
367 - 397 DAYS
463 managed money market investments with similar investment objectives 169
40 Fund portfolio composition is subject to change 48
Information about Investment Considerations can be 87 found on page 47 93
66
30
04
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 4 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
Global markets were volatile during the 12-month reporting period ended March 31 2020 with the federal funds target range falling from 200-225 at the beginning of the period to 000-025 by March 2020 During the same reporting period the US Govshyernment Select Money Market Fund posted a 169 total return compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeGovt and Agencies Retail benchmark return of 139 Softening economic data in 2019 prompted the US Federal Reserve (the ldquoFedrdquo) to reduce short-term rates three times between July and October of 2019 These cuts restored an upward slope to the money market yield curve after it had become inverted earlier in 2019 In early 2020 fears of a global coronavirus pandemic and a gradual and widespread shutdown of commerce materialized across the globe prompting a sharp re-pricing of global markets Risk assets tumbled with many market indices suffering their worst performance since the 2008 financial crisis In response the Fed took a series of actions of historic proportions including the trimming of the federal funds rate by 150 basis points The Fed also committed to purchasing an unlimited volume of US Treasury securities to help boost the economy
The markets for government securities experienced at least three key developments during the period First a confluence of factors including less ample liquidity in the banking system than previously estimated prompted interest rates in the overnight repurchase agreement (repo) market to spike meaningfully in mid-September 2019 The Fed responded by injecting liquidity into the system to calm markets Second in order to provide additional liquidity the Fed began purchasing Treasury bills in October 2019 placing downward pressure on yields Lastly the normal seasonal decline in Treasury bill issuance in second quarter is likely to change to an increase in 2020 as the Treasury Department looks to finance fiscal stimulus measures via the Treasury bill market
Given our expectations for rate cuts during the fiscal year the Fund remained long relative to its peer group throughout the period We will continue to monitor market pricing closely and selectively add high quality credits and duration while maintaining a strong liquidity profile to accommodate any unexpected outflows
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(121294) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMGOVT AND AGENCIES RETAIL
169
139
088
068
045
035
029
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the US Government Select Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund MATURITY
Report Averages which are composites of professionally OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY)
2 - 15 DAYS
16 - 30 DAYS
31 - 60 DAYS
61 - 97 DAYS
98 - 180 DAYS
181 - 270 DAYS
271 - 366 DAYS
367 - 397 DAYS
521 managed money market investments with similar investment objectives 66
65 Fund portfolio composition is subject to change 57
Information about Investment Considerations can be 76 found on page 47
119
61
32
03
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 5 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F A S S E T S A N D L I A B I L I T I E S MARCH 31 2020
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
Amounts in thousands except per share data MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
ASSETS
Investments at amortized cost which approximates fair value $362394 $206113 $8760514 $2014155
Repurchase agreements at cost which approximates fair value 82000 mdash 8091456 1643871
Cash 602 9297 mdash mdash
Interest income receivable 581 982 20281 4461
Receivable for securities sold 20096 mdash mdash 24997
Receivable for fund shares sold 57 120 121922 4691
Receivable from affiliates for expense reimbursements 10 6 34 11
Prepaid and other assets 8 7 12 8
Total Assets 465748 216525 16994219 3692194
LIABILITIES
Cash overdraft mdash mdash 21522 mdash
Payable for securities purchased 20096 1002 330686 84975
Payable for fund shares redeemed mdash mdash 44583 2463
Distributions payable to shareholders
Payable to affiliates
556 358 9099 1921
Management fees 28 12 1033 223
Custody fees mdash 2 97 17
Transfer agent fees 9 4 239 51
Trustee fees 2 mdash 23 19
Accrued other liabilities 51 50 278 82
Total Liabilities 20742 1428 407560 89751
Net Assets $445006 $215097 $16586659 $3602443
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
Capital stock $445044 $215126 $16586639 $3602445
Distributable earnings (38) (29) 20 (2)
Net Assets $445006 $215097 $16586659 $3602443
Shares Outstanding ($0001 par value unlimited authorization)
Net Asset Value Redemption and Offering Price Per Share
445002
$100
215061
$100
16586672
$100
3602483
$100
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 6 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F O P E R AT I O N S FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31 2020
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
Amounts in thousands MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest income $12659 $5189 $320690 $59934
Income from affiliates (Note 6) mdash mdash 36 mdash
Total Investment Income 12659 5189 320726 59934
EXPENSES
Management fees 1919 1144 51740 9755
Custody fees 72 36 1316 265
Transfer agent fees 59 60 2755 519
Registration fees 23 22 36 28
Printing fees 26 26 196 50
Professional fees 44 44 268 83
Trustee fees 9 9 162 36
Other 19 23 147 41
Total Expenses 2171 1364 56620 10777
Less expenses contractually reimbursed by investment adviser (163) (136) (1495) (355)
Less custodian credits (8) (3) (15) (24)
Net Expenses 2000 1225 55110 10398
Net Investment Income 10659 3964 265616 49536
NET REALIZED GAINS
Net realized gains (losses) on
Investments 8 37 86 22
Net Gains 8 37 86 22
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $10667 $4001 $265702 $49558
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 7 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F C H A N G E S I N N E T A S S E T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
Amounts in thousands 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019
OPERATIONS
Net investment income $10659 $10300 $3964 $7587 $265616 $312278 $49536 $64202
Net realized gains 8 3 37 mdash 86 261 22 45
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations 10667 10303 4001 7587 265702 312539 49558 64247
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS(1)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share
(163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
Transactions (163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
Distributable earnings
Total Distributions Paid
(10660) (10303)
(10660) (10303)
(3964) (7589)
(3964) (7589)
(265869) (312392)
(265869) (312392)
(49578) (64226)
(49578) (64226) Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
NET ASSETS
(163364) 272351 (253029) (408770) (2626920) 3217660 (188737) 13133
Beginning of year 608370 336019 468126 876896 19213579 15995919 3791180 3778047
End of year $445006 $608370 $215097 $468126 $16586659 $19213579 $3602443 $3791180
(1) The number of shares approximates the dollar amount of transactions
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 8 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash(4)
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
mdash
(002)
(002)
mdash
(002)
(001)
mdash
(001)
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(7)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
185 205 110 042 005
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$445006 $608370 $336019 $164606 $7561742
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(8) 034 035 029 034 026
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 038 043 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(8)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
184 205 109 022 005
credits 181 202 095 019 (005)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $136000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $8190000 The voluntary cash
contribution represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (5) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (6) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (7) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (8) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 9 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 001 001 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) mdash(2) mdash mdash 001 mdash(2)
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash
Total from Investment Operations 001 001 001 001 mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash(5)
(001)
mdash(4)
mdash(5)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(6)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
115 116 079 053 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$215097 $468126 $876896 $203856 $5660876
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(7) 035 035 022 034 009
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 039 037 038 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(7)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
115 114 081 011 001
credits 111 112 065 008 (026)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $91000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (5) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (6) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (7) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 10 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
170 179 078 012 001
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$16586659 $19213579 $15995919 $16481941 $3359761
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 022
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 036 036 036 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
170 180 077 015 001
credits 169 179 076 014 (013)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 11 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
169 179 078 015 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$3602443 $3791180 $3778047 $3281067 $3887950
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 020
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 037 037 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
169 178 080 014 001
credits 167 176 078 013 (015)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 12 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
A B S C O M M E RC I A L PA P E R 7 9 C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d
ABS Other ndash 79 Banking ndash 245 continued
Antalis SA (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
186 4820(1) (2) $1000 $1000 009) 194 51820(3) $3000 $3000
194 61020(1) (2) 3000 2989 179 81720 3000 3000
Barton Capital SA BNP Paribas SA New York Branch
180 41420(2) 2000 1999 192 42320 2000 2000
169 52220(2) 1000 998 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
103 6820(1) (2) 3000 2994 200 91420 4000 4000
Cancara Asset Securities LLC Commonwealth Bank of Australia
089 6920(2) 4000 3993 London
Concord Minutemen Capital Co LLC 265 43020 4000 4000
Class A Credit Agricole SA London Branch
193 4320(1) (2) 1000 1000 180 72320 2000 2000
Crown Point Capital Co LLC 176 73120 5000 5000
173 81820(1) 4000 4000 Credit Industrial et Commercial London
173 81920(1) 1000 1000 Branch
Kells Funding LLC 185 82020 3000 3000
166 61520(1) (2)
132 62320(1) (2)
Regency Markets No 1 LLC
113 4920(2)
6000
3000
3000
5979
2991
2999
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
202 52820
DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank New
5000 5000
Sheffield Receivables Corp York 101 6920(2) 3000 2994 180 72120 3000 3000
34936 179 72320 3000 3000
Total ABS Commercial Paper DZ Bank AG London
(Cost $34936) 34936 094 9920 3000 3000
KBC Bank NV Brussels Branch
170 5420 4000 4000
Banking ndash 245 Kookmin Bank New York
Bank of America NA New York 183 4920 1000 1000
Branch La Banque Postale
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 183 51120 4000 4000 002) 178 5420(3) 2000 2000 170 61520 1000 1000
Bank of Montreal Chicago Branch Mitsubishi UFJ Trust amp Banking Corp (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
006) 190 41720(4)
072 31021
Bank of Montreal London Branch
170 4620
2000
3000
3000
2000
3000
3000
179 42920
176 51520
169 52120
164 6220
MUFG Bank Ltd
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
164 72020
172 72820
3000
2000
3000
2000 181 41420
Natixis SA New York Branch
3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Houston Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 013) 184 51320(3) 2000 2000
172 6320
Nordea Bank AB New York Branch
092 9420
3000
3000
3000
3000
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 13 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ndash
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d C O M M E R C I A L PA P E R 5 7
Banking ndash 245 continued
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
188 5420 $3000 $3000
Shizuoka Bank Ltd New York Branch
093 4820 1000 1000
Societe Generale London Branch
180 71720 1000 1000
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd London
161 52820 2000 2000
157 6120 2000 2000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
192 122320 1000 1000
Toronto Dominion Bank London Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 005) 166 52620(3) 2000 2000
164 52720 2000 2000
170 8720 3000 3000
Toronto Dominion Bank New York Branch
189 4320 3000 3000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 025) 163 4620(3) 3000 3000
187 42720 2000 2000
Westpac Banking Corp New York Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 003) 172 51920(3) 2000 2000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 015) 115 6820(3) 2000 2000
109000
Banking ndash 09 Korea Development Bank London
Branch Credit Agricole CIB New York
176 72920 2000 2000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
039) 212 51120(4) 3000 3001 172 8620
Total Certificates Of Deposit
1000 1000
3000 Wells Fargo Bank NA
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 035) 137 4620(3) 1000 1000
(Cost $112000) 112000 4001
Total Corporate NotesBonds
(Cost $4001) 4001
Foreign Agencies ndash 07
Banking ndash 48
DBS Bank Ltd
096 9120(2)
Nationwide Building Society
158 4220(2)
Natixis SA New York Branch
162 62420(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
196 41720(2)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 011) 185 5720(1) (3)
100 6820(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 007) 186 42720(1) (4)
Royal Bank of Canada
071 3921(2)
$2000
2000
2000
2000
4000
4500
3000
2000
$1992
2000
1993
1998
4000
4491
3000
1987
21461
Brokerage ndash 02
JPMorgan Securities LLC
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 016) 197 42320(1) (3) 1000 1000
Foreign Agencies ndash 02
Export Development Canada
153 6220(2) 1000 997
School ndash 05
Yale University
117 4120(2) 2000 2000
Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $25458) 25458
C O R P O R AT E N O T E S B O N D S 0 9
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 14 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash ndash
ndash
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
E U R O D O L L A R T I M E D E P O S I T S 4 0 0
Banking ndash 400
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
003 4120 $18000 $18000
006 4120 3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Toronto Branch
008 4120 12000 12000
Barclays Bank PLC London Branch
030 4120 12000 12000
Commonwealth Bank of Australia London
003 4120 17000 17000
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
006 4120 13000 13000
Credit Suisse AG Cayman Islands Branch
008 4120 15000 15000
DNB Bank ASA New York Branch
003 4120 22000 22000
KBC Bank NV New York Branch
004 4120 16000 16000
Mizuho Bank Ltd New York Branch
005 4120 21000 21000
Societe Generale Cayman Branch
006 4120 9000 9000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
001 4120 8000 8000
003 4120 12000 12000
178000
Total Eurodollar Time Deposits
(Cost $178000) 178000
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 1 8
US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 18
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 004) 013 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $7999)
$3000
5000
$3000
4999
7999
7999
Investments at Amortized Cost
( $362394) 362394
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 18 4 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 184
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $14000 002 4120 14000 14000
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 001 4120 5000 5000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 018 4120 5000 5000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $3000 023 4720 3000 3000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $55000 002 4120 55000 55000
82000
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $82000) 82000
Total Investments ndash 999
(Cost $444394) 444394
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 01 612
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $445006
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 15 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
(1) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements
are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
Corporate Bonds $8561 202 mdash 463 81624 mdash 101546
FHLMC $47086 200 mdash 700 5123 mdash 11149
FNMA $8953 350 mdash 500 7123 mdash 3150
GNMA $611 500 32050
US Treasury Bonds $5 338 51544
US Treasury Notes $19378 113 mdash 288 21522 mdash 22822
Total $84594
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
ABS ndash Asset-Backed Securities
CIB ndash Corporate and Investment Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $444394 $mdash $444394
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 16 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
The municipal market experienced a significant measure of volatility during the 12-month reporting period ended March 31 2020 While demand for municipal investments was strong throughout most of the period the onset of COVID-19 prompted a significant reversal in demand by period end
The Municipal Money Market Fund returned 115 during the 12-month period compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeTax Free Retail benchmark return of 102 Over the majority of the period we employed a ldquobarbellrdquo approach to the Fundrsquos portfolio duration This strategy ensured that the Fund was well positioned to handle cash volatility as approximately 90 of portfolio assets were invested in daily or weekly variable rate demand notes Holdings in these assets enabled us to navigate fluctuations in cash flows throughout the 12-month period
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(041194) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMTAX FREE RETAIL
115
102
073
057
037
030
318
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the Municipal Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
MATURITY We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund Report Averages which are composites of professionally
OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY) 318 managed money market investments with similar
2 - 15 DAYS 506 investment objectives
31 - 60 DAYS 37 Income from the Fund may be subject to federal 61 - 97 DAYS 114 alternative minimum tax (AMT) and state and local
98 - 180 DAYS 25 taxes
Fund portfolio composition is subject to change
Information about Investment Considerations can be found on page 47
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fund may impose a fee upon sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 3 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
Global markets were volatile during the 12-month period ended March 31 2020 with the federal funds target range falling from 200-225 at the beginning of the period to 000-025 by March 2020 During the same period the US Government Money Market Fund posted a 170 total return compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeGovt and Agencies Retail benchmark return of 139 Softening economic data in 2019 prompted the US Federal Reserve (the ldquoFedrdquo) to reduce short-term rates three times between July and October of 2019 These cuts restored an upward slope to the money market yield curve after it had become inverted earlier in 2019 In early 2020 fears of the COVID-19 pandemic and a gradual and widespread shutdown of commerce materialized across the globe prompting a sharp re-pricing of global markets Risk assets tumbled with many market indices suffering their worst performance since the 2008 financial crisis In response the Fed took a series of actions of historic proportions including the trimming of the federal funds rate by 150 basis points The Fed also committed to purchasing an unlimited volume of US Treasury securities to help boost the economy
The markets for government securities experienced at least three key developments during the reporting period First a confluence of factors including less ample liquidity in the banking system than previously estimated prompted interest rates in the overnight repurchase agreement (repo) market to spike meaningfully in mid-September 2019 The Fed responded by injecting liquidity into the system to calm markets Second in order to provide additional liquidity the Fed began purchasing Treasury bills in October 2019 placing downward pressure on yields Lastly the normal seasonal decline in Treasury bill issuance in second quarter is likely to change to an increase in 2020 as the Treasury Department looks to finance fiscal stimulus measures via the Treasury bill market
Given our expectations for rate cuts the Fund remained long relative to its peer group throughout the period We will continue to monitor market pricing closely and selectively add high quality credits and duration while maintaining a strong liquidity profile to accommodate any unexpected outflows
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(041194) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMGOVT AND AGENCIES RETAIL
170
139
088
068
044
035
027
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the US Government Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund MATURITY
Report Averages which are composites of professionally OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY)
2 - 15 DAYS
16 - 30 DAYS
31 - 60 DAYS
61 - 97 DAYS
98 - 180 DAYS
181 - 270 DAYS
271 - 366 DAYS
367 - 397 DAYS
463 managed money market investments with similar investment objectives 169
40 Fund portfolio composition is subject to change 48
Information about Investment Considerations can be 87 found on page 47 93
66
30
04
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 4 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
Global markets were volatile during the 12-month reporting period ended March 31 2020 with the federal funds target range falling from 200-225 at the beginning of the period to 000-025 by March 2020 During the same reporting period the US Govshyernment Select Money Market Fund posted a 169 total return compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeGovt and Agencies Retail benchmark return of 139 Softening economic data in 2019 prompted the US Federal Reserve (the ldquoFedrdquo) to reduce short-term rates three times between July and October of 2019 These cuts restored an upward slope to the money market yield curve after it had become inverted earlier in 2019 In early 2020 fears of a global coronavirus pandemic and a gradual and widespread shutdown of commerce materialized across the globe prompting a sharp re-pricing of global markets Risk assets tumbled with many market indices suffering their worst performance since the 2008 financial crisis In response the Fed took a series of actions of historic proportions including the trimming of the federal funds rate by 150 basis points The Fed also committed to purchasing an unlimited volume of US Treasury securities to help boost the economy
The markets for government securities experienced at least three key developments during the period First a confluence of factors including less ample liquidity in the banking system than previously estimated prompted interest rates in the overnight repurchase agreement (repo) market to spike meaningfully in mid-September 2019 The Fed responded by injecting liquidity into the system to calm markets Second in order to provide additional liquidity the Fed began purchasing Treasury bills in October 2019 placing downward pressure on yields Lastly the normal seasonal decline in Treasury bill issuance in second quarter is likely to change to an increase in 2020 as the Treasury Department looks to finance fiscal stimulus measures via the Treasury bill market
Given our expectations for rate cuts during the fiscal year the Fund remained long relative to its peer group throughout the period We will continue to monitor market pricing closely and selectively add high quality credits and duration while maintaining a strong liquidity profile to accommodate any unexpected outflows
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(121294) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMGOVT AND AGENCIES RETAIL
169
139
088
068
045
035
029
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the US Government Select Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund MATURITY
Report Averages which are composites of professionally OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY)
2 - 15 DAYS
16 - 30 DAYS
31 - 60 DAYS
61 - 97 DAYS
98 - 180 DAYS
181 - 270 DAYS
271 - 366 DAYS
367 - 397 DAYS
521 managed money market investments with similar investment objectives 66
65 Fund portfolio composition is subject to change 57
Information about Investment Considerations can be 76 found on page 47
119
61
32
03
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 5 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F A S S E T S A N D L I A B I L I T I E S MARCH 31 2020
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
Amounts in thousands except per share data MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
ASSETS
Investments at amortized cost which approximates fair value $362394 $206113 $8760514 $2014155
Repurchase agreements at cost which approximates fair value 82000 mdash 8091456 1643871
Cash 602 9297 mdash mdash
Interest income receivable 581 982 20281 4461
Receivable for securities sold 20096 mdash mdash 24997
Receivable for fund shares sold 57 120 121922 4691
Receivable from affiliates for expense reimbursements 10 6 34 11
Prepaid and other assets 8 7 12 8
Total Assets 465748 216525 16994219 3692194
LIABILITIES
Cash overdraft mdash mdash 21522 mdash
Payable for securities purchased 20096 1002 330686 84975
Payable for fund shares redeemed mdash mdash 44583 2463
Distributions payable to shareholders
Payable to affiliates
556 358 9099 1921
Management fees 28 12 1033 223
Custody fees mdash 2 97 17
Transfer agent fees 9 4 239 51
Trustee fees 2 mdash 23 19
Accrued other liabilities 51 50 278 82
Total Liabilities 20742 1428 407560 89751
Net Assets $445006 $215097 $16586659 $3602443
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
Capital stock $445044 $215126 $16586639 $3602445
Distributable earnings (38) (29) 20 (2)
Net Assets $445006 $215097 $16586659 $3602443
Shares Outstanding ($0001 par value unlimited authorization)
Net Asset Value Redemption and Offering Price Per Share
445002
$100
215061
$100
16586672
$100
3602483
$100
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 6 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F O P E R AT I O N S FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31 2020
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
Amounts in thousands MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest income $12659 $5189 $320690 $59934
Income from affiliates (Note 6) mdash mdash 36 mdash
Total Investment Income 12659 5189 320726 59934
EXPENSES
Management fees 1919 1144 51740 9755
Custody fees 72 36 1316 265
Transfer agent fees 59 60 2755 519
Registration fees 23 22 36 28
Printing fees 26 26 196 50
Professional fees 44 44 268 83
Trustee fees 9 9 162 36
Other 19 23 147 41
Total Expenses 2171 1364 56620 10777
Less expenses contractually reimbursed by investment adviser (163) (136) (1495) (355)
Less custodian credits (8) (3) (15) (24)
Net Expenses 2000 1225 55110 10398
Net Investment Income 10659 3964 265616 49536
NET REALIZED GAINS
Net realized gains (losses) on
Investments 8 37 86 22
Net Gains 8 37 86 22
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $10667 $4001 $265702 $49558
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 7 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F C H A N G E S I N N E T A S S E T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
Amounts in thousands 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019
OPERATIONS
Net investment income $10659 $10300 $3964 $7587 $265616 $312278 $49536 $64202
Net realized gains 8 3 37 mdash 86 261 22 45
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations 10667 10303 4001 7587 265702 312539 49558 64247
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS(1)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share
(163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
Transactions (163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
Distributable earnings
Total Distributions Paid
(10660) (10303)
(10660) (10303)
(3964) (7589)
(3964) (7589)
(265869) (312392)
(265869) (312392)
(49578) (64226)
(49578) (64226) Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
NET ASSETS
(163364) 272351 (253029) (408770) (2626920) 3217660 (188737) 13133
Beginning of year 608370 336019 468126 876896 19213579 15995919 3791180 3778047
End of year $445006 $608370 $215097 $468126 $16586659 $19213579 $3602443 $3791180
(1) The number of shares approximates the dollar amount of transactions
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 8 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash(4)
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
mdash
(002)
(002)
mdash
(002)
(001)
mdash
(001)
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(7)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
185 205 110 042 005
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$445006 $608370 $336019 $164606 $7561742
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(8) 034 035 029 034 026
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 038 043 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(8)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
184 205 109 022 005
credits 181 202 095 019 (005)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $136000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $8190000 The voluntary cash
contribution represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (5) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (6) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (7) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (8) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 9 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 001 001 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) mdash(2) mdash mdash 001 mdash(2)
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash
Total from Investment Operations 001 001 001 001 mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash(5)
(001)
mdash(4)
mdash(5)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(6)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
115 116 079 053 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$215097 $468126 $876896 $203856 $5660876
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(7) 035 035 022 034 009
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 039 037 038 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(7)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
115 114 081 011 001
credits 111 112 065 008 (026)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $91000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (5) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (6) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (7) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 10 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
170 179 078 012 001
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$16586659 $19213579 $15995919 $16481941 $3359761
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 022
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 036 036 036 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
170 180 077 015 001
credits 169 179 076 014 (013)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 11 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
169 179 078 015 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$3602443 $3791180 $3778047 $3281067 $3887950
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 020
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 037 037 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
169 178 080 014 001
credits 167 176 078 013 (015)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 12 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
A B S C O M M E RC I A L PA P E R 7 9 C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d
ABS Other ndash 79 Banking ndash 245 continued
Antalis SA (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
186 4820(1) (2) $1000 $1000 009) 194 51820(3) $3000 $3000
194 61020(1) (2) 3000 2989 179 81720 3000 3000
Barton Capital SA BNP Paribas SA New York Branch
180 41420(2) 2000 1999 192 42320 2000 2000
169 52220(2) 1000 998 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
103 6820(1) (2) 3000 2994 200 91420 4000 4000
Cancara Asset Securities LLC Commonwealth Bank of Australia
089 6920(2) 4000 3993 London
Concord Minutemen Capital Co LLC 265 43020 4000 4000
Class A Credit Agricole SA London Branch
193 4320(1) (2) 1000 1000 180 72320 2000 2000
Crown Point Capital Co LLC 176 73120 5000 5000
173 81820(1) 4000 4000 Credit Industrial et Commercial London
173 81920(1) 1000 1000 Branch
Kells Funding LLC 185 82020 3000 3000
166 61520(1) (2)
132 62320(1) (2)
Regency Markets No 1 LLC
113 4920(2)
6000
3000
3000
5979
2991
2999
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
202 52820
DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank New
5000 5000
Sheffield Receivables Corp York 101 6920(2) 3000 2994 180 72120 3000 3000
34936 179 72320 3000 3000
Total ABS Commercial Paper DZ Bank AG London
(Cost $34936) 34936 094 9920 3000 3000
KBC Bank NV Brussels Branch
170 5420 4000 4000
Banking ndash 245 Kookmin Bank New York
Bank of America NA New York 183 4920 1000 1000
Branch La Banque Postale
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 183 51120 4000 4000 002) 178 5420(3) 2000 2000 170 61520 1000 1000
Bank of Montreal Chicago Branch Mitsubishi UFJ Trust amp Banking Corp (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
006) 190 41720(4)
072 31021
Bank of Montreal London Branch
170 4620
2000
3000
3000
2000
3000
3000
179 42920
176 51520
169 52120
164 6220
MUFG Bank Ltd
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
164 72020
172 72820
3000
2000
3000
2000 181 41420
Natixis SA New York Branch
3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Houston Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 013) 184 51320(3) 2000 2000
172 6320
Nordea Bank AB New York Branch
092 9420
3000
3000
3000
3000
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 13 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ndash
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d C O M M E R C I A L PA P E R 5 7
Banking ndash 245 continued
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
188 5420 $3000 $3000
Shizuoka Bank Ltd New York Branch
093 4820 1000 1000
Societe Generale London Branch
180 71720 1000 1000
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd London
161 52820 2000 2000
157 6120 2000 2000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
192 122320 1000 1000
Toronto Dominion Bank London Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 005) 166 52620(3) 2000 2000
164 52720 2000 2000
170 8720 3000 3000
Toronto Dominion Bank New York Branch
189 4320 3000 3000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 025) 163 4620(3) 3000 3000
187 42720 2000 2000
Westpac Banking Corp New York Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 003) 172 51920(3) 2000 2000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 015) 115 6820(3) 2000 2000
109000
Banking ndash 09 Korea Development Bank London
Branch Credit Agricole CIB New York
176 72920 2000 2000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
039) 212 51120(4) 3000 3001 172 8620
Total Certificates Of Deposit
1000 1000
3000 Wells Fargo Bank NA
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 035) 137 4620(3) 1000 1000
(Cost $112000) 112000 4001
Total Corporate NotesBonds
(Cost $4001) 4001
Foreign Agencies ndash 07
Banking ndash 48
DBS Bank Ltd
096 9120(2)
Nationwide Building Society
158 4220(2)
Natixis SA New York Branch
162 62420(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
196 41720(2)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 011) 185 5720(1) (3)
100 6820(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 007) 186 42720(1) (4)
Royal Bank of Canada
071 3921(2)
$2000
2000
2000
2000
4000
4500
3000
2000
$1992
2000
1993
1998
4000
4491
3000
1987
21461
Brokerage ndash 02
JPMorgan Securities LLC
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 016) 197 42320(1) (3) 1000 1000
Foreign Agencies ndash 02
Export Development Canada
153 6220(2) 1000 997
School ndash 05
Yale University
117 4120(2) 2000 2000
Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $25458) 25458
C O R P O R AT E N O T E S B O N D S 0 9
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 14 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash ndash
ndash
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
E U R O D O L L A R T I M E D E P O S I T S 4 0 0
Banking ndash 400
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
003 4120 $18000 $18000
006 4120 3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Toronto Branch
008 4120 12000 12000
Barclays Bank PLC London Branch
030 4120 12000 12000
Commonwealth Bank of Australia London
003 4120 17000 17000
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
006 4120 13000 13000
Credit Suisse AG Cayman Islands Branch
008 4120 15000 15000
DNB Bank ASA New York Branch
003 4120 22000 22000
KBC Bank NV New York Branch
004 4120 16000 16000
Mizuho Bank Ltd New York Branch
005 4120 21000 21000
Societe Generale Cayman Branch
006 4120 9000 9000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
001 4120 8000 8000
003 4120 12000 12000
178000
Total Eurodollar Time Deposits
(Cost $178000) 178000
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 1 8
US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 18
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 004) 013 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $7999)
$3000
5000
$3000
4999
7999
7999
Investments at Amortized Cost
( $362394) 362394
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 18 4 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 184
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $14000 002 4120 14000 14000
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 001 4120 5000 5000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 018 4120 5000 5000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $3000 023 4720 3000 3000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $55000 002 4120 55000 55000
82000
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $82000) 82000
Total Investments ndash 999
(Cost $444394) 444394
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 01 612
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $445006
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 15 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
(1) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements
are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
Corporate Bonds $8561 202 mdash 463 81624 mdash 101546
FHLMC $47086 200 mdash 700 5123 mdash 11149
FNMA $8953 350 mdash 500 7123 mdash 3150
GNMA $611 500 32050
US Treasury Bonds $5 338 51544
US Treasury Notes $19378 113 mdash 288 21522 mdash 22822
Total $84594
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
ABS ndash Asset-Backed Securities
CIB ndash Corporate and Investment Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $444394 $mdash $444394
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 16 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
Global markets were volatile during the 12-month period ended March 31 2020 with the federal funds target range falling from 200-225 at the beginning of the period to 000-025 by March 2020 During the same period the US Government Money Market Fund posted a 170 total return compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeGovt and Agencies Retail benchmark return of 139 Softening economic data in 2019 prompted the US Federal Reserve (the ldquoFedrdquo) to reduce short-term rates three times between July and October of 2019 These cuts restored an upward slope to the money market yield curve after it had become inverted earlier in 2019 In early 2020 fears of the COVID-19 pandemic and a gradual and widespread shutdown of commerce materialized across the globe prompting a sharp re-pricing of global markets Risk assets tumbled with many market indices suffering their worst performance since the 2008 financial crisis In response the Fed took a series of actions of historic proportions including the trimming of the federal funds rate by 150 basis points The Fed also committed to purchasing an unlimited volume of US Treasury securities to help boost the economy
The markets for government securities experienced at least three key developments during the reporting period First a confluence of factors including less ample liquidity in the banking system than previously estimated prompted interest rates in the overnight repurchase agreement (repo) market to spike meaningfully in mid-September 2019 The Fed responded by injecting liquidity into the system to calm markets Second in order to provide additional liquidity the Fed began purchasing Treasury bills in October 2019 placing downward pressure on yields Lastly the normal seasonal decline in Treasury bill issuance in second quarter is likely to change to an increase in 2020 as the Treasury Department looks to finance fiscal stimulus measures via the Treasury bill market
Given our expectations for rate cuts the Fund remained long relative to its peer group throughout the period We will continue to monitor market pricing closely and selectively add high quality credits and duration while maintaining a strong liquidity profile to accommodate any unexpected outflows
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(041194) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMGOVT AND AGENCIES RETAIL
170
139
088
068
044
035
027
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the US Government Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund MATURITY
Report Averages which are composites of professionally OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY)
2 - 15 DAYS
16 - 30 DAYS
31 - 60 DAYS
61 - 97 DAYS
98 - 180 DAYS
181 - 270 DAYS
271 - 366 DAYS
367 - 397 DAYS
463 managed money market investments with similar investment objectives 169
40 Fund portfolio composition is subject to change 48
Information about Investment Considerations can be 87 found on page 47 93
66
30
04
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 4 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
Global markets were volatile during the 12-month reporting period ended March 31 2020 with the federal funds target range falling from 200-225 at the beginning of the period to 000-025 by March 2020 During the same reporting period the US Govshyernment Select Money Market Fund posted a 169 total return compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeGovt and Agencies Retail benchmark return of 139 Softening economic data in 2019 prompted the US Federal Reserve (the ldquoFedrdquo) to reduce short-term rates three times between July and October of 2019 These cuts restored an upward slope to the money market yield curve after it had become inverted earlier in 2019 In early 2020 fears of a global coronavirus pandemic and a gradual and widespread shutdown of commerce materialized across the globe prompting a sharp re-pricing of global markets Risk assets tumbled with many market indices suffering their worst performance since the 2008 financial crisis In response the Fed took a series of actions of historic proportions including the trimming of the federal funds rate by 150 basis points The Fed also committed to purchasing an unlimited volume of US Treasury securities to help boost the economy
The markets for government securities experienced at least three key developments during the period First a confluence of factors including less ample liquidity in the banking system than previously estimated prompted interest rates in the overnight repurchase agreement (repo) market to spike meaningfully in mid-September 2019 The Fed responded by injecting liquidity into the system to calm markets Second in order to provide additional liquidity the Fed began purchasing Treasury bills in October 2019 placing downward pressure on yields Lastly the normal seasonal decline in Treasury bill issuance in second quarter is likely to change to an increase in 2020 as the Treasury Department looks to finance fiscal stimulus measures via the Treasury bill market
Given our expectations for rate cuts during the fiscal year the Fund remained long relative to its peer group throughout the period We will continue to monitor market pricing closely and selectively add high quality credits and duration while maintaining a strong liquidity profile to accommodate any unexpected outflows
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(121294) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMGOVT AND AGENCIES RETAIL
169
139
088
068
045
035
029
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the US Government Select Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund MATURITY
Report Averages which are composites of professionally OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY)
2 - 15 DAYS
16 - 30 DAYS
31 - 60 DAYS
61 - 97 DAYS
98 - 180 DAYS
181 - 270 DAYS
271 - 366 DAYS
367 - 397 DAYS
521 managed money market investments with similar investment objectives 66
65 Fund portfolio composition is subject to change 57
Information about Investment Considerations can be 76 found on page 47
119
61
32
03
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 5 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F A S S E T S A N D L I A B I L I T I E S MARCH 31 2020
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
Amounts in thousands except per share data MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
ASSETS
Investments at amortized cost which approximates fair value $362394 $206113 $8760514 $2014155
Repurchase agreements at cost which approximates fair value 82000 mdash 8091456 1643871
Cash 602 9297 mdash mdash
Interest income receivable 581 982 20281 4461
Receivable for securities sold 20096 mdash mdash 24997
Receivable for fund shares sold 57 120 121922 4691
Receivable from affiliates for expense reimbursements 10 6 34 11
Prepaid and other assets 8 7 12 8
Total Assets 465748 216525 16994219 3692194
LIABILITIES
Cash overdraft mdash mdash 21522 mdash
Payable for securities purchased 20096 1002 330686 84975
Payable for fund shares redeemed mdash mdash 44583 2463
Distributions payable to shareholders
Payable to affiliates
556 358 9099 1921
Management fees 28 12 1033 223
Custody fees mdash 2 97 17
Transfer agent fees 9 4 239 51
Trustee fees 2 mdash 23 19
Accrued other liabilities 51 50 278 82
Total Liabilities 20742 1428 407560 89751
Net Assets $445006 $215097 $16586659 $3602443
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
Capital stock $445044 $215126 $16586639 $3602445
Distributable earnings (38) (29) 20 (2)
Net Assets $445006 $215097 $16586659 $3602443
Shares Outstanding ($0001 par value unlimited authorization)
Net Asset Value Redemption and Offering Price Per Share
445002
$100
215061
$100
16586672
$100
3602483
$100
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 6 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F O P E R AT I O N S FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31 2020
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
Amounts in thousands MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest income $12659 $5189 $320690 $59934
Income from affiliates (Note 6) mdash mdash 36 mdash
Total Investment Income 12659 5189 320726 59934
EXPENSES
Management fees 1919 1144 51740 9755
Custody fees 72 36 1316 265
Transfer agent fees 59 60 2755 519
Registration fees 23 22 36 28
Printing fees 26 26 196 50
Professional fees 44 44 268 83
Trustee fees 9 9 162 36
Other 19 23 147 41
Total Expenses 2171 1364 56620 10777
Less expenses contractually reimbursed by investment adviser (163) (136) (1495) (355)
Less custodian credits (8) (3) (15) (24)
Net Expenses 2000 1225 55110 10398
Net Investment Income 10659 3964 265616 49536
NET REALIZED GAINS
Net realized gains (losses) on
Investments 8 37 86 22
Net Gains 8 37 86 22
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $10667 $4001 $265702 $49558
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 7 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F C H A N G E S I N N E T A S S E T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
Amounts in thousands 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019
OPERATIONS
Net investment income $10659 $10300 $3964 $7587 $265616 $312278 $49536 $64202
Net realized gains 8 3 37 mdash 86 261 22 45
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations 10667 10303 4001 7587 265702 312539 49558 64247
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS(1)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share
(163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
Transactions (163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
Distributable earnings
Total Distributions Paid
(10660) (10303)
(10660) (10303)
(3964) (7589)
(3964) (7589)
(265869) (312392)
(265869) (312392)
(49578) (64226)
(49578) (64226) Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
NET ASSETS
(163364) 272351 (253029) (408770) (2626920) 3217660 (188737) 13133
Beginning of year 608370 336019 468126 876896 19213579 15995919 3791180 3778047
End of year $445006 $608370 $215097 $468126 $16586659 $19213579 $3602443 $3791180
(1) The number of shares approximates the dollar amount of transactions
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 8 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash(4)
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
mdash
(002)
(002)
mdash
(002)
(001)
mdash
(001)
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(7)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
185 205 110 042 005
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$445006 $608370 $336019 $164606 $7561742
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(8) 034 035 029 034 026
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 038 043 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(8)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
184 205 109 022 005
credits 181 202 095 019 (005)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $136000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $8190000 The voluntary cash
contribution represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (5) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (6) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (7) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (8) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 9 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 001 001 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) mdash(2) mdash mdash 001 mdash(2)
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash
Total from Investment Operations 001 001 001 001 mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash(5)
(001)
mdash(4)
mdash(5)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(6)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
115 116 079 053 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$215097 $468126 $876896 $203856 $5660876
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(7) 035 035 022 034 009
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 039 037 038 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(7)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
115 114 081 011 001
credits 111 112 065 008 (026)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $91000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (5) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (6) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (7) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 10 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
170 179 078 012 001
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$16586659 $19213579 $15995919 $16481941 $3359761
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 022
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 036 036 036 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
170 180 077 015 001
credits 169 179 076 014 (013)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 11 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
169 179 078 015 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$3602443 $3791180 $3778047 $3281067 $3887950
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 020
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 037 037 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
169 178 080 014 001
credits 167 176 078 013 (015)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 12 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
A B S C O M M E RC I A L PA P E R 7 9 C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d
ABS Other ndash 79 Banking ndash 245 continued
Antalis SA (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
186 4820(1) (2) $1000 $1000 009) 194 51820(3) $3000 $3000
194 61020(1) (2) 3000 2989 179 81720 3000 3000
Barton Capital SA BNP Paribas SA New York Branch
180 41420(2) 2000 1999 192 42320 2000 2000
169 52220(2) 1000 998 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
103 6820(1) (2) 3000 2994 200 91420 4000 4000
Cancara Asset Securities LLC Commonwealth Bank of Australia
089 6920(2) 4000 3993 London
Concord Minutemen Capital Co LLC 265 43020 4000 4000
Class A Credit Agricole SA London Branch
193 4320(1) (2) 1000 1000 180 72320 2000 2000
Crown Point Capital Co LLC 176 73120 5000 5000
173 81820(1) 4000 4000 Credit Industrial et Commercial London
173 81920(1) 1000 1000 Branch
Kells Funding LLC 185 82020 3000 3000
166 61520(1) (2)
132 62320(1) (2)
Regency Markets No 1 LLC
113 4920(2)
6000
3000
3000
5979
2991
2999
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
202 52820
DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank New
5000 5000
Sheffield Receivables Corp York 101 6920(2) 3000 2994 180 72120 3000 3000
34936 179 72320 3000 3000
Total ABS Commercial Paper DZ Bank AG London
(Cost $34936) 34936 094 9920 3000 3000
KBC Bank NV Brussels Branch
170 5420 4000 4000
Banking ndash 245 Kookmin Bank New York
Bank of America NA New York 183 4920 1000 1000
Branch La Banque Postale
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 183 51120 4000 4000 002) 178 5420(3) 2000 2000 170 61520 1000 1000
Bank of Montreal Chicago Branch Mitsubishi UFJ Trust amp Banking Corp (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
006) 190 41720(4)
072 31021
Bank of Montreal London Branch
170 4620
2000
3000
3000
2000
3000
3000
179 42920
176 51520
169 52120
164 6220
MUFG Bank Ltd
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
164 72020
172 72820
3000
2000
3000
2000 181 41420
Natixis SA New York Branch
3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Houston Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 013) 184 51320(3) 2000 2000
172 6320
Nordea Bank AB New York Branch
092 9420
3000
3000
3000
3000
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 13 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ndash
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d C O M M E R C I A L PA P E R 5 7
Banking ndash 245 continued
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
188 5420 $3000 $3000
Shizuoka Bank Ltd New York Branch
093 4820 1000 1000
Societe Generale London Branch
180 71720 1000 1000
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd London
161 52820 2000 2000
157 6120 2000 2000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
192 122320 1000 1000
Toronto Dominion Bank London Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 005) 166 52620(3) 2000 2000
164 52720 2000 2000
170 8720 3000 3000
Toronto Dominion Bank New York Branch
189 4320 3000 3000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 025) 163 4620(3) 3000 3000
187 42720 2000 2000
Westpac Banking Corp New York Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 003) 172 51920(3) 2000 2000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 015) 115 6820(3) 2000 2000
109000
Banking ndash 09 Korea Development Bank London
Branch Credit Agricole CIB New York
176 72920 2000 2000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
039) 212 51120(4) 3000 3001 172 8620
Total Certificates Of Deposit
1000 1000
3000 Wells Fargo Bank NA
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 035) 137 4620(3) 1000 1000
(Cost $112000) 112000 4001
Total Corporate NotesBonds
(Cost $4001) 4001
Foreign Agencies ndash 07
Banking ndash 48
DBS Bank Ltd
096 9120(2)
Nationwide Building Society
158 4220(2)
Natixis SA New York Branch
162 62420(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
196 41720(2)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 011) 185 5720(1) (3)
100 6820(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 007) 186 42720(1) (4)
Royal Bank of Canada
071 3921(2)
$2000
2000
2000
2000
4000
4500
3000
2000
$1992
2000
1993
1998
4000
4491
3000
1987
21461
Brokerage ndash 02
JPMorgan Securities LLC
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 016) 197 42320(1) (3) 1000 1000
Foreign Agencies ndash 02
Export Development Canada
153 6220(2) 1000 997
School ndash 05
Yale University
117 4120(2) 2000 2000
Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $25458) 25458
C O R P O R AT E N O T E S B O N D S 0 9
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 14 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash ndash
ndash
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
E U R O D O L L A R T I M E D E P O S I T S 4 0 0
Banking ndash 400
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
003 4120 $18000 $18000
006 4120 3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Toronto Branch
008 4120 12000 12000
Barclays Bank PLC London Branch
030 4120 12000 12000
Commonwealth Bank of Australia London
003 4120 17000 17000
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
006 4120 13000 13000
Credit Suisse AG Cayman Islands Branch
008 4120 15000 15000
DNB Bank ASA New York Branch
003 4120 22000 22000
KBC Bank NV New York Branch
004 4120 16000 16000
Mizuho Bank Ltd New York Branch
005 4120 21000 21000
Societe Generale Cayman Branch
006 4120 9000 9000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
001 4120 8000 8000
003 4120 12000 12000
178000
Total Eurodollar Time Deposits
(Cost $178000) 178000
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 1 8
US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 18
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 004) 013 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $7999)
$3000
5000
$3000
4999
7999
7999
Investments at Amortized Cost
( $362394) 362394
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 18 4 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 184
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $14000 002 4120 14000 14000
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 001 4120 5000 5000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 018 4120 5000 5000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $3000 023 4720 3000 3000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $55000 002 4120 55000 55000
82000
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $82000) 82000
Total Investments ndash 999
(Cost $444394) 444394
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 01 612
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $445006
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 15 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
(1) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements
are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
Corporate Bonds $8561 202 mdash 463 81624 mdash 101546
FHLMC $47086 200 mdash 700 5123 mdash 11149
FNMA $8953 350 mdash 500 7123 mdash 3150
GNMA $611 500 32050
US Treasury Bonds $5 338 51544
US Treasury Notes $19378 113 mdash 288 21522 mdash 22822
Total $84594
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
ABS ndash Asset-Backed Securities
CIB ndash Corporate and Investment Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $444394 $mdash $444394
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 16 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D (UNAUDITED)
P O R T F O L I O M A N AG E M E N T C O M M E N TA RY
Global markets were volatile during the 12-month reporting period ended March 31 2020 with the federal funds target range falling from 200-225 at the beginning of the period to 000-025 by March 2020 During the same reporting period the US Govshyernment Select Money Market Fund posted a 169 total return compared with the iMoneyNet MFR AveragetradeGovt and Agencies Retail benchmark return of 139 Softening economic data in 2019 prompted the US Federal Reserve (the ldquoFedrdquo) to reduce short-term rates three times between July and October of 2019 These cuts restored an upward slope to the money market yield curve after it had become inverted earlier in 2019 In early 2020 fears of a global coronavirus pandemic and a gradual and widespread shutdown of commerce materialized across the globe prompting a sharp re-pricing of global markets Risk assets tumbled with many market indices suffering their worst performance since the 2008 financial crisis In response the Fed took a series of actions of historic proportions including the trimming of the federal funds rate by 150 basis points The Fed also committed to purchasing an unlimited volume of US Treasury securities to help boost the economy
The markets for government securities experienced at least three key developments during the period First a confluence of factors including less ample liquidity in the banking system than previously estimated prompted interest rates in the overnight repurchase agreement (repo) market to spike meaningfully in mid-September 2019 The Fed responded by injecting liquidity into the system to calm markets Second in order to provide additional liquidity the Fed began purchasing Treasury bills in October 2019 placing downward pressure on yields Lastly the normal seasonal decline in Treasury bill issuance in second quarter is likely to change to an increase in 2020 as the Treasury Department looks to finance fiscal stimulus measures via the Treasury bill market
Given our expectations for rate cuts during the fiscal year the Fund remained long relative to its peer group throughout the period We will continue to monitor market pricing closely and selectively add high quality credits and duration while maintaining a strong liquidity profile to accommodate any unexpected outflows
I N V E S T M E N T P E R F O R M A N C E
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS for periods ended March 31 2020
TOTAL RETURN FUND INCEPTION
(121294) ONE YEAR FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR 7-DAY YIELD
US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND
IMONEYNET MFR AVERAGETMGOVT AND AGENCIES RETAIL
169
139
088
068
045
035
029
NA
Fund Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results Investment return will fluctuate so that shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here 7-Day Yield refers to income generated over the 7-day period ended March 31 2020 Past performance may reflect voluntary and contractual expense reimbursements In their absence performance would be reduced Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at northerntrustcomfunds
The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares
M AT U R I T Y A N A LYS I S
At March 31 2020 the maturity analysis for the US Government Select Money Market Fund as a percentage of investments was
We compare our Funds to the iMoneyNet Money Fund MATURITY
Report Averages which are composites of professionally OVERNIGHT (1 BUSINESS DAY)
2 - 15 DAYS
16 - 30 DAYS
31 - 60 DAYS
61 - 97 DAYS
98 - 180 DAYS
181 - 270 DAYS
271 - 366 DAYS
367 - 397 DAYS
521 managed money market investments with similar investment objectives 66
65 Fund portfolio composition is subject to change 57
Information about Investment Considerations can be 76 found on page 47
119
61
32
03
You could lose money by investing in the Fund Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 5 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F A S S E T S A N D L I A B I L I T I E S MARCH 31 2020
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
Amounts in thousands except per share data MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
ASSETS
Investments at amortized cost which approximates fair value $362394 $206113 $8760514 $2014155
Repurchase agreements at cost which approximates fair value 82000 mdash 8091456 1643871
Cash 602 9297 mdash mdash
Interest income receivable 581 982 20281 4461
Receivable for securities sold 20096 mdash mdash 24997
Receivable for fund shares sold 57 120 121922 4691
Receivable from affiliates for expense reimbursements 10 6 34 11
Prepaid and other assets 8 7 12 8
Total Assets 465748 216525 16994219 3692194
LIABILITIES
Cash overdraft mdash mdash 21522 mdash
Payable for securities purchased 20096 1002 330686 84975
Payable for fund shares redeemed mdash mdash 44583 2463
Distributions payable to shareholders
Payable to affiliates
556 358 9099 1921
Management fees 28 12 1033 223
Custody fees mdash 2 97 17
Transfer agent fees 9 4 239 51
Trustee fees 2 mdash 23 19
Accrued other liabilities 51 50 278 82
Total Liabilities 20742 1428 407560 89751
Net Assets $445006 $215097 $16586659 $3602443
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
Capital stock $445044 $215126 $16586639 $3602445
Distributable earnings (38) (29) 20 (2)
Net Assets $445006 $215097 $16586659 $3602443
Shares Outstanding ($0001 par value unlimited authorization)
Net Asset Value Redemption and Offering Price Per Share
445002
$100
215061
$100
16586672
$100
3602483
$100
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 6 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F O P E R AT I O N S FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31 2020
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
Amounts in thousands MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest income $12659 $5189 $320690 $59934
Income from affiliates (Note 6) mdash mdash 36 mdash
Total Investment Income 12659 5189 320726 59934
EXPENSES
Management fees 1919 1144 51740 9755
Custody fees 72 36 1316 265
Transfer agent fees 59 60 2755 519
Registration fees 23 22 36 28
Printing fees 26 26 196 50
Professional fees 44 44 268 83
Trustee fees 9 9 162 36
Other 19 23 147 41
Total Expenses 2171 1364 56620 10777
Less expenses contractually reimbursed by investment adviser (163) (136) (1495) (355)
Less custodian credits (8) (3) (15) (24)
Net Expenses 2000 1225 55110 10398
Net Investment Income 10659 3964 265616 49536
NET REALIZED GAINS
Net realized gains (losses) on
Investments 8 37 86 22
Net Gains 8 37 86 22
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $10667 $4001 $265702 $49558
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 7 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F C H A N G E S I N N E T A S S E T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
Amounts in thousands 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019
OPERATIONS
Net investment income $10659 $10300 $3964 $7587 $265616 $312278 $49536 $64202
Net realized gains 8 3 37 mdash 86 261 22 45
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations 10667 10303 4001 7587 265702 312539 49558 64247
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS(1)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share
(163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
Transactions (163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
Distributable earnings
Total Distributions Paid
(10660) (10303)
(10660) (10303)
(3964) (7589)
(3964) (7589)
(265869) (312392)
(265869) (312392)
(49578) (64226)
(49578) (64226) Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
NET ASSETS
(163364) 272351 (253029) (408770) (2626920) 3217660 (188737) 13133
Beginning of year 608370 336019 468126 876896 19213579 15995919 3791180 3778047
End of year $445006 $608370 $215097 $468126 $16586659 $19213579 $3602443 $3791180
(1) The number of shares approximates the dollar amount of transactions
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 8 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash(4)
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
mdash
(002)
(002)
mdash
(002)
(001)
mdash
(001)
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(7)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
185 205 110 042 005
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$445006 $608370 $336019 $164606 $7561742
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(8) 034 035 029 034 026
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 038 043 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(8)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
184 205 109 022 005
credits 181 202 095 019 (005)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $136000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $8190000 The voluntary cash
contribution represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (5) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (6) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (7) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (8) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 9 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 001 001 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) mdash(2) mdash mdash 001 mdash(2)
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash
Total from Investment Operations 001 001 001 001 mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash(5)
(001)
mdash(4)
mdash(5)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(6)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
115 116 079 053 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$215097 $468126 $876896 $203856 $5660876
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(7) 035 035 022 034 009
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 039 037 038 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(7)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
115 114 081 011 001
credits 111 112 065 008 (026)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $91000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (5) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (6) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (7) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 10 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
170 179 078 012 001
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$16586659 $19213579 $15995919 $16481941 $3359761
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 022
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 036 036 036 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
170 180 077 015 001
credits 169 179 076 014 (013)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 11 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
169 179 078 015 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$3602443 $3791180 $3778047 $3281067 $3887950
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 020
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 037 037 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
169 178 080 014 001
credits 167 176 078 013 (015)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 12 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
A B S C O M M E RC I A L PA P E R 7 9 C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d
ABS Other ndash 79 Banking ndash 245 continued
Antalis SA (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
186 4820(1) (2) $1000 $1000 009) 194 51820(3) $3000 $3000
194 61020(1) (2) 3000 2989 179 81720 3000 3000
Barton Capital SA BNP Paribas SA New York Branch
180 41420(2) 2000 1999 192 42320 2000 2000
169 52220(2) 1000 998 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
103 6820(1) (2) 3000 2994 200 91420 4000 4000
Cancara Asset Securities LLC Commonwealth Bank of Australia
089 6920(2) 4000 3993 London
Concord Minutemen Capital Co LLC 265 43020 4000 4000
Class A Credit Agricole SA London Branch
193 4320(1) (2) 1000 1000 180 72320 2000 2000
Crown Point Capital Co LLC 176 73120 5000 5000
173 81820(1) 4000 4000 Credit Industrial et Commercial London
173 81920(1) 1000 1000 Branch
Kells Funding LLC 185 82020 3000 3000
166 61520(1) (2)
132 62320(1) (2)
Regency Markets No 1 LLC
113 4920(2)
6000
3000
3000
5979
2991
2999
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
202 52820
DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank New
5000 5000
Sheffield Receivables Corp York 101 6920(2) 3000 2994 180 72120 3000 3000
34936 179 72320 3000 3000
Total ABS Commercial Paper DZ Bank AG London
(Cost $34936) 34936 094 9920 3000 3000
KBC Bank NV Brussels Branch
170 5420 4000 4000
Banking ndash 245 Kookmin Bank New York
Bank of America NA New York 183 4920 1000 1000
Branch La Banque Postale
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 183 51120 4000 4000 002) 178 5420(3) 2000 2000 170 61520 1000 1000
Bank of Montreal Chicago Branch Mitsubishi UFJ Trust amp Banking Corp (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
006) 190 41720(4)
072 31021
Bank of Montreal London Branch
170 4620
2000
3000
3000
2000
3000
3000
179 42920
176 51520
169 52120
164 6220
MUFG Bank Ltd
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
164 72020
172 72820
3000
2000
3000
2000 181 41420
Natixis SA New York Branch
3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Houston Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 013) 184 51320(3) 2000 2000
172 6320
Nordea Bank AB New York Branch
092 9420
3000
3000
3000
3000
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 13 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ndash
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d C O M M E R C I A L PA P E R 5 7
Banking ndash 245 continued
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
188 5420 $3000 $3000
Shizuoka Bank Ltd New York Branch
093 4820 1000 1000
Societe Generale London Branch
180 71720 1000 1000
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd London
161 52820 2000 2000
157 6120 2000 2000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
192 122320 1000 1000
Toronto Dominion Bank London Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 005) 166 52620(3) 2000 2000
164 52720 2000 2000
170 8720 3000 3000
Toronto Dominion Bank New York Branch
189 4320 3000 3000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 025) 163 4620(3) 3000 3000
187 42720 2000 2000
Westpac Banking Corp New York Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 003) 172 51920(3) 2000 2000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 015) 115 6820(3) 2000 2000
109000
Banking ndash 09 Korea Development Bank London
Branch Credit Agricole CIB New York
176 72920 2000 2000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
039) 212 51120(4) 3000 3001 172 8620
Total Certificates Of Deposit
1000 1000
3000 Wells Fargo Bank NA
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 035) 137 4620(3) 1000 1000
(Cost $112000) 112000 4001
Total Corporate NotesBonds
(Cost $4001) 4001
Foreign Agencies ndash 07
Banking ndash 48
DBS Bank Ltd
096 9120(2)
Nationwide Building Society
158 4220(2)
Natixis SA New York Branch
162 62420(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
196 41720(2)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 011) 185 5720(1) (3)
100 6820(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 007) 186 42720(1) (4)
Royal Bank of Canada
071 3921(2)
$2000
2000
2000
2000
4000
4500
3000
2000
$1992
2000
1993
1998
4000
4491
3000
1987
21461
Brokerage ndash 02
JPMorgan Securities LLC
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 016) 197 42320(1) (3) 1000 1000
Foreign Agencies ndash 02
Export Development Canada
153 6220(2) 1000 997
School ndash 05
Yale University
117 4120(2) 2000 2000
Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $25458) 25458
C O R P O R AT E N O T E S B O N D S 0 9
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 14 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash ndash
ndash
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
E U R O D O L L A R T I M E D E P O S I T S 4 0 0
Banking ndash 400
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
003 4120 $18000 $18000
006 4120 3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Toronto Branch
008 4120 12000 12000
Barclays Bank PLC London Branch
030 4120 12000 12000
Commonwealth Bank of Australia London
003 4120 17000 17000
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
006 4120 13000 13000
Credit Suisse AG Cayman Islands Branch
008 4120 15000 15000
DNB Bank ASA New York Branch
003 4120 22000 22000
KBC Bank NV New York Branch
004 4120 16000 16000
Mizuho Bank Ltd New York Branch
005 4120 21000 21000
Societe Generale Cayman Branch
006 4120 9000 9000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
001 4120 8000 8000
003 4120 12000 12000
178000
Total Eurodollar Time Deposits
(Cost $178000) 178000
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 1 8
US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 18
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 004) 013 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $7999)
$3000
5000
$3000
4999
7999
7999
Investments at Amortized Cost
( $362394) 362394
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 18 4 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 184
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $14000 002 4120 14000 14000
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 001 4120 5000 5000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 018 4120 5000 5000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $3000 023 4720 3000 3000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $55000 002 4120 55000 55000
82000
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $82000) 82000
Total Investments ndash 999
(Cost $444394) 444394
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 01 612
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $445006
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 15 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
(1) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements
are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
Corporate Bonds $8561 202 mdash 463 81624 mdash 101546
FHLMC $47086 200 mdash 700 5123 mdash 11149
FNMA $8953 350 mdash 500 7123 mdash 3150
GNMA $611 500 32050
US Treasury Bonds $5 338 51544
US Treasury Notes $19378 113 mdash 288 21522 mdash 22822
Total $84594
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
ABS ndash Asset-Backed Securities
CIB ndash Corporate and Investment Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $444394 $mdash $444394
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 16 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F A S S E T S A N D L I A B I L I T I E S MARCH 31 2020
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
Amounts in thousands except per share data MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
ASSETS
Investments at amortized cost which approximates fair value $362394 $206113 $8760514 $2014155
Repurchase agreements at cost which approximates fair value 82000 mdash 8091456 1643871
Cash 602 9297 mdash mdash
Interest income receivable 581 982 20281 4461
Receivable for securities sold 20096 mdash mdash 24997
Receivable for fund shares sold 57 120 121922 4691
Receivable from affiliates for expense reimbursements 10 6 34 11
Prepaid and other assets 8 7 12 8
Total Assets 465748 216525 16994219 3692194
LIABILITIES
Cash overdraft mdash mdash 21522 mdash
Payable for securities purchased 20096 1002 330686 84975
Payable for fund shares redeemed mdash mdash 44583 2463
Distributions payable to shareholders
Payable to affiliates
556 358 9099 1921
Management fees 28 12 1033 223
Custody fees mdash 2 97 17
Transfer agent fees 9 4 239 51
Trustee fees 2 mdash 23 19
Accrued other liabilities 51 50 278 82
Total Liabilities 20742 1428 407560 89751
Net Assets $445006 $215097 $16586659 $3602443
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
Capital stock $445044 $215126 $16586639 $3602445
Distributable earnings (38) (29) 20 (2)
Net Assets $445006 $215097 $16586659 $3602443
Shares Outstanding ($0001 par value unlimited authorization)
Net Asset Value Redemption and Offering Price Per Share
445002
$100
215061
$100
16586672
$100
3602483
$100
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 6 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F O P E R AT I O N S FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31 2020
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
Amounts in thousands MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest income $12659 $5189 $320690 $59934
Income from affiliates (Note 6) mdash mdash 36 mdash
Total Investment Income 12659 5189 320726 59934
EXPENSES
Management fees 1919 1144 51740 9755
Custody fees 72 36 1316 265
Transfer agent fees 59 60 2755 519
Registration fees 23 22 36 28
Printing fees 26 26 196 50
Professional fees 44 44 268 83
Trustee fees 9 9 162 36
Other 19 23 147 41
Total Expenses 2171 1364 56620 10777
Less expenses contractually reimbursed by investment adviser (163) (136) (1495) (355)
Less custodian credits (8) (3) (15) (24)
Net Expenses 2000 1225 55110 10398
Net Investment Income 10659 3964 265616 49536
NET REALIZED GAINS
Net realized gains (losses) on
Investments 8 37 86 22
Net Gains 8 37 86 22
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $10667 $4001 $265702 $49558
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 7 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F C H A N G E S I N N E T A S S E T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
Amounts in thousands 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019
OPERATIONS
Net investment income $10659 $10300 $3964 $7587 $265616 $312278 $49536 $64202
Net realized gains 8 3 37 mdash 86 261 22 45
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations 10667 10303 4001 7587 265702 312539 49558 64247
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS(1)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share
(163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
Transactions (163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
Distributable earnings
Total Distributions Paid
(10660) (10303)
(10660) (10303)
(3964) (7589)
(3964) (7589)
(265869) (312392)
(265869) (312392)
(49578) (64226)
(49578) (64226) Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
NET ASSETS
(163364) 272351 (253029) (408770) (2626920) 3217660 (188737) 13133
Beginning of year 608370 336019 468126 876896 19213579 15995919 3791180 3778047
End of year $445006 $608370 $215097 $468126 $16586659 $19213579 $3602443 $3791180
(1) The number of shares approximates the dollar amount of transactions
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 8 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash(4)
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
mdash
(002)
(002)
mdash
(002)
(001)
mdash
(001)
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(7)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
185 205 110 042 005
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$445006 $608370 $336019 $164606 $7561742
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(8) 034 035 029 034 026
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 038 043 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(8)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
184 205 109 022 005
credits 181 202 095 019 (005)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $136000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $8190000 The voluntary cash
contribution represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (5) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (6) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (7) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (8) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 9 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 001 001 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) mdash(2) mdash mdash 001 mdash(2)
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash
Total from Investment Operations 001 001 001 001 mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash(5)
(001)
mdash(4)
mdash(5)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(6)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
115 116 079 053 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$215097 $468126 $876896 $203856 $5660876
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(7) 035 035 022 034 009
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 039 037 038 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(7)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
115 114 081 011 001
credits 111 112 065 008 (026)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $91000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (5) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (6) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (7) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 10 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
170 179 078 012 001
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$16586659 $19213579 $15995919 $16481941 $3359761
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 022
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 036 036 036 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
170 180 077 015 001
credits 169 179 076 014 (013)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 11 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
169 179 078 015 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$3602443 $3791180 $3778047 $3281067 $3887950
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 020
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 037 037 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
169 178 080 014 001
credits 167 176 078 013 (015)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 12 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
A B S C O M M E RC I A L PA P E R 7 9 C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d
ABS Other ndash 79 Banking ndash 245 continued
Antalis SA (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
186 4820(1) (2) $1000 $1000 009) 194 51820(3) $3000 $3000
194 61020(1) (2) 3000 2989 179 81720 3000 3000
Barton Capital SA BNP Paribas SA New York Branch
180 41420(2) 2000 1999 192 42320 2000 2000
169 52220(2) 1000 998 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
103 6820(1) (2) 3000 2994 200 91420 4000 4000
Cancara Asset Securities LLC Commonwealth Bank of Australia
089 6920(2) 4000 3993 London
Concord Minutemen Capital Co LLC 265 43020 4000 4000
Class A Credit Agricole SA London Branch
193 4320(1) (2) 1000 1000 180 72320 2000 2000
Crown Point Capital Co LLC 176 73120 5000 5000
173 81820(1) 4000 4000 Credit Industrial et Commercial London
173 81920(1) 1000 1000 Branch
Kells Funding LLC 185 82020 3000 3000
166 61520(1) (2)
132 62320(1) (2)
Regency Markets No 1 LLC
113 4920(2)
6000
3000
3000
5979
2991
2999
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
202 52820
DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank New
5000 5000
Sheffield Receivables Corp York 101 6920(2) 3000 2994 180 72120 3000 3000
34936 179 72320 3000 3000
Total ABS Commercial Paper DZ Bank AG London
(Cost $34936) 34936 094 9920 3000 3000
KBC Bank NV Brussels Branch
170 5420 4000 4000
Banking ndash 245 Kookmin Bank New York
Bank of America NA New York 183 4920 1000 1000
Branch La Banque Postale
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 183 51120 4000 4000 002) 178 5420(3) 2000 2000 170 61520 1000 1000
Bank of Montreal Chicago Branch Mitsubishi UFJ Trust amp Banking Corp (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
006) 190 41720(4)
072 31021
Bank of Montreal London Branch
170 4620
2000
3000
3000
2000
3000
3000
179 42920
176 51520
169 52120
164 6220
MUFG Bank Ltd
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
164 72020
172 72820
3000
2000
3000
2000 181 41420
Natixis SA New York Branch
3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Houston Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 013) 184 51320(3) 2000 2000
172 6320
Nordea Bank AB New York Branch
092 9420
3000
3000
3000
3000
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 13 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ndash
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d C O M M E R C I A L PA P E R 5 7
Banking ndash 245 continued
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
188 5420 $3000 $3000
Shizuoka Bank Ltd New York Branch
093 4820 1000 1000
Societe Generale London Branch
180 71720 1000 1000
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd London
161 52820 2000 2000
157 6120 2000 2000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
192 122320 1000 1000
Toronto Dominion Bank London Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 005) 166 52620(3) 2000 2000
164 52720 2000 2000
170 8720 3000 3000
Toronto Dominion Bank New York Branch
189 4320 3000 3000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 025) 163 4620(3) 3000 3000
187 42720 2000 2000
Westpac Banking Corp New York Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 003) 172 51920(3) 2000 2000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 015) 115 6820(3) 2000 2000
109000
Banking ndash 09 Korea Development Bank London
Branch Credit Agricole CIB New York
176 72920 2000 2000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
039) 212 51120(4) 3000 3001 172 8620
Total Certificates Of Deposit
1000 1000
3000 Wells Fargo Bank NA
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 035) 137 4620(3) 1000 1000
(Cost $112000) 112000 4001
Total Corporate NotesBonds
(Cost $4001) 4001
Foreign Agencies ndash 07
Banking ndash 48
DBS Bank Ltd
096 9120(2)
Nationwide Building Society
158 4220(2)
Natixis SA New York Branch
162 62420(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
196 41720(2)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 011) 185 5720(1) (3)
100 6820(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 007) 186 42720(1) (4)
Royal Bank of Canada
071 3921(2)
$2000
2000
2000
2000
4000
4500
3000
2000
$1992
2000
1993
1998
4000
4491
3000
1987
21461
Brokerage ndash 02
JPMorgan Securities LLC
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 016) 197 42320(1) (3) 1000 1000
Foreign Agencies ndash 02
Export Development Canada
153 6220(2) 1000 997
School ndash 05
Yale University
117 4120(2) 2000 2000
Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $25458) 25458
C O R P O R AT E N O T E S B O N D S 0 9
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 14 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash ndash
ndash
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
E U R O D O L L A R T I M E D E P O S I T S 4 0 0
Banking ndash 400
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
003 4120 $18000 $18000
006 4120 3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Toronto Branch
008 4120 12000 12000
Barclays Bank PLC London Branch
030 4120 12000 12000
Commonwealth Bank of Australia London
003 4120 17000 17000
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
006 4120 13000 13000
Credit Suisse AG Cayman Islands Branch
008 4120 15000 15000
DNB Bank ASA New York Branch
003 4120 22000 22000
KBC Bank NV New York Branch
004 4120 16000 16000
Mizuho Bank Ltd New York Branch
005 4120 21000 21000
Societe Generale Cayman Branch
006 4120 9000 9000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
001 4120 8000 8000
003 4120 12000 12000
178000
Total Eurodollar Time Deposits
(Cost $178000) 178000
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 1 8
US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 18
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 004) 013 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $7999)
$3000
5000
$3000
4999
7999
7999
Investments at Amortized Cost
( $362394) 362394
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 18 4 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 184
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $14000 002 4120 14000 14000
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 001 4120 5000 5000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 018 4120 5000 5000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $3000 023 4720 3000 3000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $55000 002 4120 55000 55000
82000
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $82000) 82000
Total Investments ndash 999
(Cost $444394) 444394
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 01 612
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $445006
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 15 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
(1) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements
are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
Corporate Bonds $8561 202 mdash 463 81624 mdash 101546
FHLMC $47086 200 mdash 700 5123 mdash 11149
FNMA $8953 350 mdash 500 7123 mdash 3150
GNMA $611 500 32050
US Treasury Bonds $5 338 51544
US Treasury Notes $19378 113 mdash 288 21522 mdash 22822
Total $84594
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
ABS ndash Asset-Backed Securities
CIB ndash Corporate and Investment Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $444394 $mdash $444394
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 16 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F O P E R AT I O N S FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31 2020
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
Amounts in thousands MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest income $12659 $5189 $320690 $59934
Income from affiliates (Note 6) mdash mdash 36 mdash
Total Investment Income 12659 5189 320726 59934
EXPENSES
Management fees 1919 1144 51740 9755
Custody fees 72 36 1316 265
Transfer agent fees 59 60 2755 519
Registration fees 23 22 36 28
Printing fees 26 26 196 50
Professional fees 44 44 268 83
Trustee fees 9 9 162 36
Other 19 23 147 41
Total Expenses 2171 1364 56620 10777
Less expenses contractually reimbursed by investment adviser (163) (136) (1495) (355)
Less custodian credits (8) (3) (15) (24)
Net Expenses 2000 1225 55110 10398
Net Investment Income 10659 3964 265616 49536
NET REALIZED GAINS
Net realized gains (losses) on
Investments 8 37 86 22
Net Gains 8 37 86 22
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $10667 $4001 $265702 $49558
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 7 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F C H A N G E S I N N E T A S S E T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
Amounts in thousands 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019
OPERATIONS
Net investment income $10659 $10300 $3964 $7587 $265616 $312278 $49536 $64202
Net realized gains 8 3 37 mdash 86 261 22 45
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations 10667 10303 4001 7587 265702 312539 49558 64247
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS(1)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share
(163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
Transactions (163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
Distributable earnings
Total Distributions Paid
(10660) (10303)
(10660) (10303)
(3964) (7589)
(3964) (7589)
(265869) (312392)
(265869) (312392)
(49578) (64226)
(49578) (64226) Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
NET ASSETS
(163364) 272351 (253029) (408770) (2626920) 3217660 (188737) 13133
Beginning of year 608370 336019 468126 876896 19213579 15995919 3791180 3778047
End of year $445006 $608370 $215097 $468126 $16586659 $19213579 $3602443 $3791180
(1) The number of shares approximates the dollar amount of transactions
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 8 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash(4)
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
mdash
(002)
(002)
mdash
(002)
(001)
mdash
(001)
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(7)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
185 205 110 042 005
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$445006 $608370 $336019 $164606 $7561742
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(8) 034 035 029 034 026
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 038 043 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(8)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
184 205 109 022 005
credits 181 202 095 019 (005)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $136000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $8190000 The voluntary cash
contribution represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (5) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (6) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (7) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (8) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 9 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 001 001 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) mdash(2) mdash mdash 001 mdash(2)
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash
Total from Investment Operations 001 001 001 001 mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash(5)
(001)
mdash(4)
mdash(5)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(6)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
115 116 079 053 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$215097 $468126 $876896 $203856 $5660876
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(7) 035 035 022 034 009
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 039 037 038 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(7)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
115 114 081 011 001
credits 111 112 065 008 (026)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $91000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (5) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (6) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (7) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 10 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
170 179 078 012 001
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$16586659 $19213579 $15995919 $16481941 $3359761
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 022
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 036 036 036 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
170 180 077 015 001
credits 169 179 076 014 (013)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 11 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
169 179 078 015 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$3602443 $3791180 $3778047 $3281067 $3887950
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 020
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 037 037 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
169 178 080 014 001
credits 167 176 078 013 (015)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 12 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
A B S C O M M E RC I A L PA P E R 7 9 C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d
ABS Other ndash 79 Banking ndash 245 continued
Antalis SA (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
186 4820(1) (2) $1000 $1000 009) 194 51820(3) $3000 $3000
194 61020(1) (2) 3000 2989 179 81720 3000 3000
Barton Capital SA BNP Paribas SA New York Branch
180 41420(2) 2000 1999 192 42320 2000 2000
169 52220(2) 1000 998 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
103 6820(1) (2) 3000 2994 200 91420 4000 4000
Cancara Asset Securities LLC Commonwealth Bank of Australia
089 6920(2) 4000 3993 London
Concord Minutemen Capital Co LLC 265 43020 4000 4000
Class A Credit Agricole SA London Branch
193 4320(1) (2) 1000 1000 180 72320 2000 2000
Crown Point Capital Co LLC 176 73120 5000 5000
173 81820(1) 4000 4000 Credit Industrial et Commercial London
173 81920(1) 1000 1000 Branch
Kells Funding LLC 185 82020 3000 3000
166 61520(1) (2)
132 62320(1) (2)
Regency Markets No 1 LLC
113 4920(2)
6000
3000
3000
5979
2991
2999
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
202 52820
DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank New
5000 5000
Sheffield Receivables Corp York 101 6920(2) 3000 2994 180 72120 3000 3000
34936 179 72320 3000 3000
Total ABS Commercial Paper DZ Bank AG London
(Cost $34936) 34936 094 9920 3000 3000
KBC Bank NV Brussels Branch
170 5420 4000 4000
Banking ndash 245 Kookmin Bank New York
Bank of America NA New York 183 4920 1000 1000
Branch La Banque Postale
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 183 51120 4000 4000 002) 178 5420(3) 2000 2000 170 61520 1000 1000
Bank of Montreal Chicago Branch Mitsubishi UFJ Trust amp Banking Corp (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
006) 190 41720(4)
072 31021
Bank of Montreal London Branch
170 4620
2000
3000
3000
2000
3000
3000
179 42920
176 51520
169 52120
164 6220
MUFG Bank Ltd
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
164 72020
172 72820
3000
2000
3000
2000 181 41420
Natixis SA New York Branch
3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Houston Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 013) 184 51320(3) 2000 2000
172 6320
Nordea Bank AB New York Branch
092 9420
3000
3000
3000
3000
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 13 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ndash
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d C O M M E R C I A L PA P E R 5 7
Banking ndash 245 continued
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
188 5420 $3000 $3000
Shizuoka Bank Ltd New York Branch
093 4820 1000 1000
Societe Generale London Branch
180 71720 1000 1000
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd London
161 52820 2000 2000
157 6120 2000 2000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
192 122320 1000 1000
Toronto Dominion Bank London Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 005) 166 52620(3) 2000 2000
164 52720 2000 2000
170 8720 3000 3000
Toronto Dominion Bank New York Branch
189 4320 3000 3000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 025) 163 4620(3) 3000 3000
187 42720 2000 2000
Westpac Banking Corp New York Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 003) 172 51920(3) 2000 2000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 015) 115 6820(3) 2000 2000
109000
Banking ndash 09 Korea Development Bank London
Branch Credit Agricole CIB New York
176 72920 2000 2000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
039) 212 51120(4) 3000 3001 172 8620
Total Certificates Of Deposit
1000 1000
3000 Wells Fargo Bank NA
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 035) 137 4620(3) 1000 1000
(Cost $112000) 112000 4001
Total Corporate NotesBonds
(Cost $4001) 4001
Foreign Agencies ndash 07
Banking ndash 48
DBS Bank Ltd
096 9120(2)
Nationwide Building Society
158 4220(2)
Natixis SA New York Branch
162 62420(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
196 41720(2)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 011) 185 5720(1) (3)
100 6820(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 007) 186 42720(1) (4)
Royal Bank of Canada
071 3921(2)
$2000
2000
2000
2000
4000
4500
3000
2000
$1992
2000
1993
1998
4000
4491
3000
1987
21461
Brokerage ndash 02
JPMorgan Securities LLC
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 016) 197 42320(1) (3) 1000 1000
Foreign Agencies ndash 02
Export Development Canada
153 6220(2) 1000 997
School ndash 05
Yale University
117 4120(2) 2000 2000
Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $25458) 25458
C O R P O R AT E N O T E S B O N D S 0 9
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 14 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash ndash
ndash
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
E U R O D O L L A R T I M E D E P O S I T S 4 0 0
Banking ndash 400
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
003 4120 $18000 $18000
006 4120 3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Toronto Branch
008 4120 12000 12000
Barclays Bank PLC London Branch
030 4120 12000 12000
Commonwealth Bank of Australia London
003 4120 17000 17000
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
006 4120 13000 13000
Credit Suisse AG Cayman Islands Branch
008 4120 15000 15000
DNB Bank ASA New York Branch
003 4120 22000 22000
KBC Bank NV New York Branch
004 4120 16000 16000
Mizuho Bank Ltd New York Branch
005 4120 21000 21000
Societe Generale Cayman Branch
006 4120 9000 9000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
001 4120 8000 8000
003 4120 12000 12000
178000
Total Eurodollar Time Deposits
(Cost $178000) 178000
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 1 8
US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 18
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 004) 013 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $7999)
$3000
5000
$3000
4999
7999
7999
Investments at Amortized Cost
( $362394) 362394
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 18 4 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 184
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $14000 002 4120 14000 14000
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 001 4120 5000 5000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 018 4120 5000 5000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $3000 023 4720 3000 3000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $55000 002 4120 55000 55000
82000
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $82000) 82000
Total Investments ndash 999
(Cost $444394) 444394
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 01 612
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $445006
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 15 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
(1) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements
are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
Corporate Bonds $8561 202 mdash 463 81624 mdash 101546
FHLMC $47086 200 mdash 700 5123 mdash 11149
FNMA $8953 350 mdash 500 7123 mdash 3150
GNMA $611 500 32050
US Treasury Bonds $5 338 51544
US Treasury Notes $19378 113 mdash 288 21522 mdash 22822
Total $84594
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
ABS ndash Asset-Backed Securities
CIB ndash Corporate and Investment Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $444394 $mdash $444394
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 16 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
S TAT E M E N T S O F C H A N G E S I N N E T A S S E T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
MUNICIPAL US GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT MONEY MONEY MONEY SELECT MONEY
MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND
Amounts in thousands 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019
OPERATIONS
Net investment income $10659 $10300 $3964 $7587 $265616 $312278 $49536 $64202
Net realized gains 8 3 37 mdash 86 261 22 45
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations 10667 10303 4001 7587 265702 312539 49558 64247
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS(1)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Capital Share
(163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
Transactions (163371) 272351 (253066) (408768) (2626753) 3217513 (188717) 13112
DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
Distributable earnings
Total Distributions Paid
(10660) (10303)
(10660) (10303)
(3964) (7589)
(3964) (7589)
(265869) (312392)
(265869) (312392)
(49578) (64226)
(49578) (64226) Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
NET ASSETS
(163364) 272351 (253029) (408770) (2626920) 3217660 (188737) 13133
Beginning of year 608370 336019 468126 876896 19213579 15995919 3791180 3778047
End of year $445006 $608370 $215097 $468126 $16586659 $19213579 $3602443 $3791180
(1) The number of shares approximates the dollar amount of transactions
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 8 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash(4)
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
mdash
(002)
(002)
mdash
(002)
(001)
mdash
(001)
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(7)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
185 205 110 042 005
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$445006 $608370 $336019 $164606 $7561742
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(8) 034 035 029 034 026
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 038 043 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(8)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
184 205 109 022 005
credits 181 202 095 019 (005)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $136000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $8190000 The voluntary cash
contribution represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (5) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (6) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (7) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (8) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 9 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 001 001 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) mdash(2) mdash mdash 001 mdash(2)
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash
Total from Investment Operations 001 001 001 001 mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash(5)
(001)
mdash(4)
mdash(5)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(6)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
115 116 079 053 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$215097 $468126 $876896 $203856 $5660876
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(7) 035 035 022 034 009
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 039 037 038 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(7)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
115 114 081 011 001
credits 111 112 065 008 (026)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $91000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (5) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (6) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (7) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 10 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
170 179 078 012 001
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$16586659 $19213579 $15995919 $16481941 $3359761
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 022
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 036 036 036 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
170 180 077 015 001
credits 169 179 076 014 (013)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 11 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
169 179 078 015 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$3602443 $3791180 $3778047 $3281067 $3887950
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 020
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 037 037 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
169 178 080 014 001
credits 167 176 078 013 (015)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 12 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
A B S C O M M E RC I A L PA P E R 7 9 C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d
ABS Other ndash 79 Banking ndash 245 continued
Antalis SA (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
186 4820(1) (2) $1000 $1000 009) 194 51820(3) $3000 $3000
194 61020(1) (2) 3000 2989 179 81720 3000 3000
Barton Capital SA BNP Paribas SA New York Branch
180 41420(2) 2000 1999 192 42320 2000 2000
169 52220(2) 1000 998 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
103 6820(1) (2) 3000 2994 200 91420 4000 4000
Cancara Asset Securities LLC Commonwealth Bank of Australia
089 6920(2) 4000 3993 London
Concord Minutemen Capital Co LLC 265 43020 4000 4000
Class A Credit Agricole SA London Branch
193 4320(1) (2) 1000 1000 180 72320 2000 2000
Crown Point Capital Co LLC 176 73120 5000 5000
173 81820(1) 4000 4000 Credit Industrial et Commercial London
173 81920(1) 1000 1000 Branch
Kells Funding LLC 185 82020 3000 3000
166 61520(1) (2)
132 62320(1) (2)
Regency Markets No 1 LLC
113 4920(2)
6000
3000
3000
5979
2991
2999
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
202 52820
DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank New
5000 5000
Sheffield Receivables Corp York 101 6920(2) 3000 2994 180 72120 3000 3000
34936 179 72320 3000 3000
Total ABS Commercial Paper DZ Bank AG London
(Cost $34936) 34936 094 9920 3000 3000
KBC Bank NV Brussels Branch
170 5420 4000 4000
Banking ndash 245 Kookmin Bank New York
Bank of America NA New York 183 4920 1000 1000
Branch La Banque Postale
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 183 51120 4000 4000 002) 178 5420(3) 2000 2000 170 61520 1000 1000
Bank of Montreal Chicago Branch Mitsubishi UFJ Trust amp Banking Corp (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
006) 190 41720(4)
072 31021
Bank of Montreal London Branch
170 4620
2000
3000
3000
2000
3000
3000
179 42920
176 51520
169 52120
164 6220
MUFG Bank Ltd
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
164 72020
172 72820
3000
2000
3000
2000 181 41420
Natixis SA New York Branch
3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Houston Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 013) 184 51320(3) 2000 2000
172 6320
Nordea Bank AB New York Branch
092 9420
3000
3000
3000
3000
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 13 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ndash
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d C O M M E R C I A L PA P E R 5 7
Banking ndash 245 continued
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
188 5420 $3000 $3000
Shizuoka Bank Ltd New York Branch
093 4820 1000 1000
Societe Generale London Branch
180 71720 1000 1000
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd London
161 52820 2000 2000
157 6120 2000 2000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
192 122320 1000 1000
Toronto Dominion Bank London Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 005) 166 52620(3) 2000 2000
164 52720 2000 2000
170 8720 3000 3000
Toronto Dominion Bank New York Branch
189 4320 3000 3000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 025) 163 4620(3) 3000 3000
187 42720 2000 2000
Westpac Banking Corp New York Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 003) 172 51920(3) 2000 2000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 015) 115 6820(3) 2000 2000
109000
Banking ndash 09 Korea Development Bank London
Branch Credit Agricole CIB New York
176 72920 2000 2000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
039) 212 51120(4) 3000 3001 172 8620
Total Certificates Of Deposit
1000 1000
3000 Wells Fargo Bank NA
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 035) 137 4620(3) 1000 1000
(Cost $112000) 112000 4001
Total Corporate NotesBonds
(Cost $4001) 4001
Foreign Agencies ndash 07
Banking ndash 48
DBS Bank Ltd
096 9120(2)
Nationwide Building Society
158 4220(2)
Natixis SA New York Branch
162 62420(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
196 41720(2)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 011) 185 5720(1) (3)
100 6820(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 007) 186 42720(1) (4)
Royal Bank of Canada
071 3921(2)
$2000
2000
2000
2000
4000
4500
3000
2000
$1992
2000
1993
1998
4000
4491
3000
1987
21461
Brokerage ndash 02
JPMorgan Securities LLC
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 016) 197 42320(1) (3) 1000 1000
Foreign Agencies ndash 02
Export Development Canada
153 6220(2) 1000 997
School ndash 05
Yale University
117 4120(2) 2000 2000
Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $25458) 25458
C O R P O R AT E N O T E S B O N D S 0 9
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 14 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash ndash
ndash
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
E U R O D O L L A R T I M E D E P O S I T S 4 0 0
Banking ndash 400
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
003 4120 $18000 $18000
006 4120 3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Toronto Branch
008 4120 12000 12000
Barclays Bank PLC London Branch
030 4120 12000 12000
Commonwealth Bank of Australia London
003 4120 17000 17000
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
006 4120 13000 13000
Credit Suisse AG Cayman Islands Branch
008 4120 15000 15000
DNB Bank ASA New York Branch
003 4120 22000 22000
KBC Bank NV New York Branch
004 4120 16000 16000
Mizuho Bank Ltd New York Branch
005 4120 21000 21000
Societe Generale Cayman Branch
006 4120 9000 9000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
001 4120 8000 8000
003 4120 12000 12000
178000
Total Eurodollar Time Deposits
(Cost $178000) 178000
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 1 8
US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 18
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 004) 013 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $7999)
$3000
5000
$3000
4999
7999
7999
Investments at Amortized Cost
( $362394) 362394
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 18 4 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 184
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $14000 002 4120 14000 14000
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 001 4120 5000 5000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 018 4120 5000 5000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $3000 023 4720 3000 3000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $55000 002 4120 55000 55000
82000
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $82000) 82000
Total Investments ndash 999
(Cost $444394) 444394
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 01 612
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $445006
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 15 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
(1) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements
are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
Corporate Bonds $8561 202 mdash 463 81624 mdash 101546
FHLMC $47086 200 mdash 700 5123 mdash 11149
FNMA $8953 350 mdash 500 7123 mdash 3150
GNMA $611 500 32050
US Treasury Bonds $5 338 51544
US Treasury Notes $19378 113 mdash 288 21522 mdash 22822
Total $84594
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
ABS ndash Asset-Backed Securities
CIB ndash Corporate and Investment Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $444394 $mdash $444394
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 16 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash(4)
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
mdash
(002)
(002)
mdash
(002)
(001)
mdash
(001)
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
mdash(5)
mdash(6)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(7)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
185 205 110 042 005
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$445006 $608370 $336019 $164606 $7561742
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(8) 034 035 029 034 026
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 038 043 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(8)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
184 205 109 022 005
credits 181 202 095 019 (005)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $136000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $8190000 The voluntary cash
contribution represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (5) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (6) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (7) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (8) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 9 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 001 001 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) mdash(2) mdash mdash 001 mdash(2)
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash
Total from Investment Operations 001 001 001 001 mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash(5)
(001)
mdash(4)
mdash(5)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(6)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
115 116 079 053 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$215097 $468126 $876896 $203856 $5660876
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(7) 035 035 022 034 009
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 039 037 038 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(7)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
115 114 081 011 001
credits 111 112 065 008 (026)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $91000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (5) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (6) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (7) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 10 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
170 179 078 012 001
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$16586659 $19213579 $15995919 $16481941 $3359761
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 022
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 036 036 036 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
170 180 077 015 001
credits 169 179 076 014 (013)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 11 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
169 179 078 015 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$3602443 $3791180 $3778047 $3281067 $3887950
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 020
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 037 037 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
169 178 080 014 001
credits 167 176 078 013 (015)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 12 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
A B S C O M M E RC I A L PA P E R 7 9 C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d
ABS Other ndash 79 Banking ndash 245 continued
Antalis SA (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
186 4820(1) (2) $1000 $1000 009) 194 51820(3) $3000 $3000
194 61020(1) (2) 3000 2989 179 81720 3000 3000
Barton Capital SA BNP Paribas SA New York Branch
180 41420(2) 2000 1999 192 42320 2000 2000
169 52220(2) 1000 998 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
103 6820(1) (2) 3000 2994 200 91420 4000 4000
Cancara Asset Securities LLC Commonwealth Bank of Australia
089 6920(2) 4000 3993 London
Concord Minutemen Capital Co LLC 265 43020 4000 4000
Class A Credit Agricole SA London Branch
193 4320(1) (2) 1000 1000 180 72320 2000 2000
Crown Point Capital Co LLC 176 73120 5000 5000
173 81820(1) 4000 4000 Credit Industrial et Commercial London
173 81920(1) 1000 1000 Branch
Kells Funding LLC 185 82020 3000 3000
166 61520(1) (2)
132 62320(1) (2)
Regency Markets No 1 LLC
113 4920(2)
6000
3000
3000
5979
2991
2999
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
202 52820
DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank New
5000 5000
Sheffield Receivables Corp York 101 6920(2) 3000 2994 180 72120 3000 3000
34936 179 72320 3000 3000
Total ABS Commercial Paper DZ Bank AG London
(Cost $34936) 34936 094 9920 3000 3000
KBC Bank NV Brussels Branch
170 5420 4000 4000
Banking ndash 245 Kookmin Bank New York
Bank of America NA New York 183 4920 1000 1000
Branch La Banque Postale
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 183 51120 4000 4000 002) 178 5420(3) 2000 2000 170 61520 1000 1000
Bank of Montreal Chicago Branch Mitsubishi UFJ Trust amp Banking Corp (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
006) 190 41720(4)
072 31021
Bank of Montreal London Branch
170 4620
2000
3000
3000
2000
3000
3000
179 42920
176 51520
169 52120
164 6220
MUFG Bank Ltd
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
164 72020
172 72820
3000
2000
3000
2000 181 41420
Natixis SA New York Branch
3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Houston Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 013) 184 51320(3) 2000 2000
172 6320
Nordea Bank AB New York Branch
092 9420
3000
3000
3000
3000
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 13 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ndash
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d C O M M E R C I A L PA P E R 5 7
Banking ndash 245 continued
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
188 5420 $3000 $3000
Shizuoka Bank Ltd New York Branch
093 4820 1000 1000
Societe Generale London Branch
180 71720 1000 1000
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd London
161 52820 2000 2000
157 6120 2000 2000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
192 122320 1000 1000
Toronto Dominion Bank London Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 005) 166 52620(3) 2000 2000
164 52720 2000 2000
170 8720 3000 3000
Toronto Dominion Bank New York Branch
189 4320 3000 3000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 025) 163 4620(3) 3000 3000
187 42720 2000 2000
Westpac Banking Corp New York Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 003) 172 51920(3) 2000 2000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 015) 115 6820(3) 2000 2000
109000
Banking ndash 09 Korea Development Bank London
Branch Credit Agricole CIB New York
176 72920 2000 2000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
039) 212 51120(4) 3000 3001 172 8620
Total Certificates Of Deposit
1000 1000
3000 Wells Fargo Bank NA
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 035) 137 4620(3) 1000 1000
(Cost $112000) 112000 4001
Total Corporate NotesBonds
(Cost $4001) 4001
Foreign Agencies ndash 07
Banking ndash 48
DBS Bank Ltd
096 9120(2)
Nationwide Building Society
158 4220(2)
Natixis SA New York Branch
162 62420(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
196 41720(2)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 011) 185 5720(1) (3)
100 6820(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 007) 186 42720(1) (4)
Royal Bank of Canada
071 3921(2)
$2000
2000
2000
2000
4000
4500
3000
2000
$1992
2000
1993
1998
4000
4491
3000
1987
21461
Brokerage ndash 02
JPMorgan Securities LLC
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 016) 197 42320(1) (3) 1000 1000
Foreign Agencies ndash 02
Export Development Canada
153 6220(2) 1000 997
School ndash 05
Yale University
117 4120(2) 2000 2000
Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $25458) 25458
C O R P O R AT E N O T E S B O N D S 0 9
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 14 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash ndash
ndash
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
E U R O D O L L A R T I M E D E P O S I T S 4 0 0
Banking ndash 400
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
003 4120 $18000 $18000
006 4120 3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Toronto Branch
008 4120 12000 12000
Barclays Bank PLC London Branch
030 4120 12000 12000
Commonwealth Bank of Australia London
003 4120 17000 17000
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
006 4120 13000 13000
Credit Suisse AG Cayman Islands Branch
008 4120 15000 15000
DNB Bank ASA New York Branch
003 4120 22000 22000
KBC Bank NV New York Branch
004 4120 16000 16000
Mizuho Bank Ltd New York Branch
005 4120 21000 21000
Societe Generale Cayman Branch
006 4120 9000 9000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
001 4120 8000 8000
003 4120 12000 12000
178000
Total Eurodollar Time Deposits
(Cost $178000) 178000
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 1 8
US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 18
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 004) 013 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $7999)
$3000
5000
$3000
4999
7999
7999
Investments at Amortized Cost
( $362394) 362394
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 18 4 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 184
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $14000 002 4120 14000 14000
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 001 4120 5000 5000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 018 4120 5000 5000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $3000 023 4720 3000 3000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $55000 002 4120 55000 55000
82000
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $82000) 82000
Total Investments ndash 999
(Cost $444394) 444394
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 01 612
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $445006
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 15 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
(1) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements
are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
Corporate Bonds $8561 202 mdash 463 81624 mdash 101546
FHLMC $47086 200 mdash 700 5123 mdash 11149
FNMA $8953 350 mdash 500 7123 mdash 3150
GNMA $611 500 32050
US Treasury Bonds $5 338 51544
US Treasury Notes $19378 113 mdash 288 21522 mdash 22822
Total $84594
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
ABS ndash Asset-Backed Securities
CIB ndash Corporate and Investment Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $444394 $mdash $444394
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 16 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 001 001 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) mdash(2) mdash mdash 001 mdash(2)
Net increase from payment by affiliate mdash mdash mdash mdash(3) mdash
Total from Investment Operations 001 001 001 001 mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
From net realized gains
Total Distributions Paid
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash
(001)
(001)
mdash(5)
(001)
mdash(4)
mdash(5)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(6)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
115 116 079 053 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$215097 $468126 $876896 $203856 $5660876
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(7) 035 035 022 034 009
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 039 037 038 037 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(7)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
115 114 081 011 001
credits 111 112 065 008 (026)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) The Fund received a cash contribution from Northern Trust Corporation the parent company of NTI of approximately $91000 The voluntary cash contribution
represents less than $001 per share and had no effect on the Fundrsquos total return (4) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (5) Per share amount from distributions paid from net realized gains was less than $001 per share (6) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (7) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 10 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
170 179 078 012 001
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$16586659 $19213579 $15995919 $16481941 $3359761
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 022
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 036 036 036 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
170 180 077 015 001
credits 169 179 076 014 (013)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 11 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
169 179 078 015 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$3602443 $3791180 $3778047 $3281067 $3887950
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 020
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 037 037 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
169 178 080 014 001
credits 167 176 078 013 (015)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 12 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
A B S C O M M E RC I A L PA P E R 7 9 C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d
ABS Other ndash 79 Banking ndash 245 continued
Antalis SA (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
186 4820(1) (2) $1000 $1000 009) 194 51820(3) $3000 $3000
194 61020(1) (2) 3000 2989 179 81720 3000 3000
Barton Capital SA BNP Paribas SA New York Branch
180 41420(2) 2000 1999 192 42320 2000 2000
169 52220(2) 1000 998 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
103 6820(1) (2) 3000 2994 200 91420 4000 4000
Cancara Asset Securities LLC Commonwealth Bank of Australia
089 6920(2) 4000 3993 London
Concord Minutemen Capital Co LLC 265 43020 4000 4000
Class A Credit Agricole SA London Branch
193 4320(1) (2) 1000 1000 180 72320 2000 2000
Crown Point Capital Co LLC 176 73120 5000 5000
173 81820(1) 4000 4000 Credit Industrial et Commercial London
173 81920(1) 1000 1000 Branch
Kells Funding LLC 185 82020 3000 3000
166 61520(1) (2)
132 62320(1) (2)
Regency Markets No 1 LLC
113 4920(2)
6000
3000
3000
5979
2991
2999
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
202 52820
DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank New
5000 5000
Sheffield Receivables Corp York 101 6920(2) 3000 2994 180 72120 3000 3000
34936 179 72320 3000 3000
Total ABS Commercial Paper DZ Bank AG London
(Cost $34936) 34936 094 9920 3000 3000
KBC Bank NV Brussels Branch
170 5420 4000 4000
Banking ndash 245 Kookmin Bank New York
Bank of America NA New York 183 4920 1000 1000
Branch La Banque Postale
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 183 51120 4000 4000 002) 178 5420(3) 2000 2000 170 61520 1000 1000
Bank of Montreal Chicago Branch Mitsubishi UFJ Trust amp Banking Corp (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
006) 190 41720(4)
072 31021
Bank of Montreal London Branch
170 4620
2000
3000
3000
2000
3000
3000
179 42920
176 51520
169 52120
164 6220
MUFG Bank Ltd
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
164 72020
172 72820
3000
2000
3000
2000 181 41420
Natixis SA New York Branch
3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Houston Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 013) 184 51320(3) 2000 2000
172 6320
Nordea Bank AB New York Branch
092 9420
3000
3000
3000
3000
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 13 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ndash
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d C O M M E R C I A L PA P E R 5 7
Banking ndash 245 continued
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
188 5420 $3000 $3000
Shizuoka Bank Ltd New York Branch
093 4820 1000 1000
Societe Generale London Branch
180 71720 1000 1000
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd London
161 52820 2000 2000
157 6120 2000 2000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
192 122320 1000 1000
Toronto Dominion Bank London Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 005) 166 52620(3) 2000 2000
164 52720 2000 2000
170 8720 3000 3000
Toronto Dominion Bank New York Branch
189 4320 3000 3000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 025) 163 4620(3) 3000 3000
187 42720 2000 2000
Westpac Banking Corp New York Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 003) 172 51920(3) 2000 2000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 015) 115 6820(3) 2000 2000
109000
Banking ndash 09 Korea Development Bank London
Branch Credit Agricole CIB New York
176 72920 2000 2000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
039) 212 51120(4) 3000 3001 172 8620
Total Certificates Of Deposit
1000 1000
3000 Wells Fargo Bank NA
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 035) 137 4620(3) 1000 1000
(Cost $112000) 112000 4001
Total Corporate NotesBonds
(Cost $4001) 4001
Foreign Agencies ndash 07
Banking ndash 48
DBS Bank Ltd
096 9120(2)
Nationwide Building Society
158 4220(2)
Natixis SA New York Branch
162 62420(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
196 41720(2)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 011) 185 5720(1) (3)
100 6820(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 007) 186 42720(1) (4)
Royal Bank of Canada
071 3921(2)
$2000
2000
2000
2000
4000
4500
3000
2000
$1992
2000
1993
1998
4000
4491
3000
1987
21461
Brokerage ndash 02
JPMorgan Securities LLC
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 016) 197 42320(1) (3) 1000 1000
Foreign Agencies ndash 02
Export Development Canada
153 6220(2) 1000 997
School ndash 05
Yale University
117 4120(2) 2000 2000
Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $25458) 25458
C O R P O R AT E N O T E S B O N D S 0 9
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 14 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash ndash
ndash
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
E U R O D O L L A R T I M E D E P O S I T S 4 0 0
Banking ndash 400
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
003 4120 $18000 $18000
006 4120 3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Toronto Branch
008 4120 12000 12000
Barclays Bank PLC London Branch
030 4120 12000 12000
Commonwealth Bank of Australia London
003 4120 17000 17000
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
006 4120 13000 13000
Credit Suisse AG Cayman Islands Branch
008 4120 15000 15000
DNB Bank ASA New York Branch
003 4120 22000 22000
KBC Bank NV New York Branch
004 4120 16000 16000
Mizuho Bank Ltd New York Branch
005 4120 21000 21000
Societe Generale Cayman Branch
006 4120 9000 9000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
001 4120 8000 8000
003 4120 12000 12000
178000
Total Eurodollar Time Deposits
(Cost $178000) 178000
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 1 8
US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 18
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 004) 013 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $7999)
$3000
5000
$3000
4999
7999
7999
Investments at Amortized Cost
( $362394) 362394
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 18 4 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 184
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $14000 002 4120 14000 14000
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 001 4120 5000 5000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 018 4120 5000 5000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $3000 023 4720 3000 3000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $55000 002 4120 55000 55000
82000
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $82000) 82000
Total Investments ndash 999
(Cost $444394) 444394
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 01 612
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $445006
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 15 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
(1) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements
are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
Corporate Bonds $8561 202 mdash 463 81624 mdash 101546
FHLMC $47086 200 mdash 700 5123 mdash 11149
FNMA $8953 350 mdash 500 7123 mdash 3150
GNMA $611 500 32050
US Treasury Bonds $5 338 51544
US Treasury Notes $19378 113 mdash 288 21522 mdash 22822
Total $84594
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
ABS ndash Asset-Backed Securities
CIB ndash Corporate and Investment Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $444394 $mdash $444394
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 16 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
170 179 078 012 001
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$16586659 $19213579 $15995919 $16481941 $3359761
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 022
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 036 036 036 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
170 180 077 015 001
credits 169 179 076 014 (013)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 11 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
169 179 078 015 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$3602443 $3791180 $3778047 $3281067 $3887950
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 020
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 037 037 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
169 178 080 014 001
credits 167 176 078 013 (015)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 12 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
A B S C O M M E RC I A L PA P E R 7 9 C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d
ABS Other ndash 79 Banking ndash 245 continued
Antalis SA (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
186 4820(1) (2) $1000 $1000 009) 194 51820(3) $3000 $3000
194 61020(1) (2) 3000 2989 179 81720 3000 3000
Barton Capital SA BNP Paribas SA New York Branch
180 41420(2) 2000 1999 192 42320 2000 2000
169 52220(2) 1000 998 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
103 6820(1) (2) 3000 2994 200 91420 4000 4000
Cancara Asset Securities LLC Commonwealth Bank of Australia
089 6920(2) 4000 3993 London
Concord Minutemen Capital Co LLC 265 43020 4000 4000
Class A Credit Agricole SA London Branch
193 4320(1) (2) 1000 1000 180 72320 2000 2000
Crown Point Capital Co LLC 176 73120 5000 5000
173 81820(1) 4000 4000 Credit Industrial et Commercial London
173 81920(1) 1000 1000 Branch
Kells Funding LLC 185 82020 3000 3000
166 61520(1) (2)
132 62320(1) (2)
Regency Markets No 1 LLC
113 4920(2)
6000
3000
3000
5979
2991
2999
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
202 52820
DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank New
5000 5000
Sheffield Receivables Corp York 101 6920(2) 3000 2994 180 72120 3000 3000
34936 179 72320 3000 3000
Total ABS Commercial Paper DZ Bank AG London
(Cost $34936) 34936 094 9920 3000 3000
KBC Bank NV Brussels Branch
170 5420 4000 4000
Banking ndash 245 Kookmin Bank New York
Bank of America NA New York 183 4920 1000 1000
Branch La Banque Postale
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 183 51120 4000 4000 002) 178 5420(3) 2000 2000 170 61520 1000 1000
Bank of Montreal Chicago Branch Mitsubishi UFJ Trust amp Banking Corp (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
006) 190 41720(4)
072 31021
Bank of Montreal London Branch
170 4620
2000
3000
3000
2000
3000
3000
179 42920
176 51520
169 52120
164 6220
MUFG Bank Ltd
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
164 72020
172 72820
3000
2000
3000
2000 181 41420
Natixis SA New York Branch
3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Houston Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 013) 184 51320(3) 2000 2000
172 6320
Nordea Bank AB New York Branch
092 9420
3000
3000
3000
3000
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 13 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ndash
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d C O M M E R C I A L PA P E R 5 7
Banking ndash 245 continued
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
188 5420 $3000 $3000
Shizuoka Bank Ltd New York Branch
093 4820 1000 1000
Societe Generale London Branch
180 71720 1000 1000
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd London
161 52820 2000 2000
157 6120 2000 2000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
192 122320 1000 1000
Toronto Dominion Bank London Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 005) 166 52620(3) 2000 2000
164 52720 2000 2000
170 8720 3000 3000
Toronto Dominion Bank New York Branch
189 4320 3000 3000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 025) 163 4620(3) 3000 3000
187 42720 2000 2000
Westpac Banking Corp New York Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 003) 172 51920(3) 2000 2000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 015) 115 6820(3) 2000 2000
109000
Banking ndash 09 Korea Development Bank London
Branch Credit Agricole CIB New York
176 72920 2000 2000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
039) 212 51120(4) 3000 3001 172 8620
Total Certificates Of Deposit
1000 1000
3000 Wells Fargo Bank NA
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 035) 137 4620(3) 1000 1000
(Cost $112000) 112000 4001
Total Corporate NotesBonds
(Cost $4001) 4001
Foreign Agencies ndash 07
Banking ndash 48
DBS Bank Ltd
096 9120(2)
Nationwide Building Society
158 4220(2)
Natixis SA New York Branch
162 62420(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
196 41720(2)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 011) 185 5720(1) (3)
100 6820(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 007) 186 42720(1) (4)
Royal Bank of Canada
071 3921(2)
$2000
2000
2000
2000
4000
4500
3000
2000
$1992
2000
1993
1998
4000
4491
3000
1987
21461
Brokerage ndash 02
JPMorgan Securities LLC
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 016) 197 42320(1) (3) 1000 1000
Foreign Agencies ndash 02
Export Development Canada
153 6220(2) 1000 997
School ndash 05
Yale University
117 4120(2) 2000 2000
Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $25458) 25458
C O R P O R AT E N O T E S B O N D S 0 9
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 14 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash ndash
ndash
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
E U R O D O L L A R T I M E D E P O S I T S 4 0 0
Banking ndash 400
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
003 4120 $18000 $18000
006 4120 3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Toronto Branch
008 4120 12000 12000
Barclays Bank PLC London Branch
030 4120 12000 12000
Commonwealth Bank of Australia London
003 4120 17000 17000
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
006 4120 13000 13000
Credit Suisse AG Cayman Islands Branch
008 4120 15000 15000
DNB Bank ASA New York Branch
003 4120 22000 22000
KBC Bank NV New York Branch
004 4120 16000 16000
Mizuho Bank Ltd New York Branch
005 4120 21000 21000
Societe Generale Cayman Branch
006 4120 9000 9000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
001 4120 8000 8000
003 4120 12000 12000
178000
Total Eurodollar Time Deposits
(Cost $178000) 178000
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 1 8
US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 18
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 004) 013 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $7999)
$3000
5000
$3000
4999
7999
7999
Investments at Amortized Cost
( $362394) 362394
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 18 4 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 184
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $14000 002 4120 14000 14000
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 001 4120 5000 5000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 018 4120 5000 5000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $3000 023 4720 3000 3000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $55000 002 4120 55000 55000
82000
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $82000) 82000
Total Investments ndash 999
(Cost $444394) 444394
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 01 612
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $445006
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 15 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
(1) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements
are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
Corporate Bonds $8561 202 mdash 463 81624 mdash 101546
FHLMC $47086 200 mdash 700 5123 mdash 11149
FNMA $8953 350 mdash 500 7123 mdash 3150
GNMA $611 500 32050
US Treasury Bonds $5 338 51544
US Treasury Notes $19378 113 mdash 288 21522 mdash 22822
Total $84594
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
ABS ndash Asset-Backed Securities
CIB ndash Corporate and Investment Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $444394 $mdash $444394
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 16 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T S c o n t i n u e d FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
Selected per share data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Net Asset Value Beginning of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 002 002 001 mdash(1) mdash(1)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)(2) mdash mdash mdash mdash mdash
Total from Investment Operations 002 002 001 mdash mdash
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID
From net investment income
Total Distributions Paid
(002)
(002)
(002)
(002)
(001)
(001)
mdash(3)
mdash
mdash(3)
mdash
Net Asset Value End of Year $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
Total Return(4)
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS
169 179 078 015 002
Net assets in thousands end of year
Ratio to average net assets of
$3602443 $3791180 $3778047 $3281067 $3887950
Expenses net of reimbursements and credits(5) 035 035 035 035 020
Expenses before reimbursements and credits 037 037 037 036 036
Net investment income net of reimbursements and credits(5)
Net investment income (loss) before reimbursements and
169 178 080 014 001
credits 167 176 078 013 (015)
(1) Per share amounts from net investment income were less than $001 per share (2) Per share amounts from net realized and unrealized gains (losses) were less than $001 per share (3) Per share amounts from distributions paid from net investment income were less than $001 per share (4) Assumes investment at net asset value at the beginning of the year reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and a complete redemption of the investment at
net asset value at the end of the year (5) The impact on Net Assets due to any custody credits is less than 0005
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 12 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
A B S C O M M E RC I A L PA P E R 7 9 C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d
ABS Other ndash 79 Banking ndash 245 continued
Antalis SA (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
186 4820(1) (2) $1000 $1000 009) 194 51820(3) $3000 $3000
194 61020(1) (2) 3000 2989 179 81720 3000 3000
Barton Capital SA BNP Paribas SA New York Branch
180 41420(2) 2000 1999 192 42320 2000 2000
169 52220(2) 1000 998 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
103 6820(1) (2) 3000 2994 200 91420 4000 4000
Cancara Asset Securities LLC Commonwealth Bank of Australia
089 6920(2) 4000 3993 London
Concord Minutemen Capital Co LLC 265 43020 4000 4000
Class A Credit Agricole SA London Branch
193 4320(1) (2) 1000 1000 180 72320 2000 2000
Crown Point Capital Co LLC 176 73120 5000 5000
173 81820(1) 4000 4000 Credit Industrial et Commercial London
173 81920(1) 1000 1000 Branch
Kells Funding LLC 185 82020 3000 3000
166 61520(1) (2)
132 62320(1) (2)
Regency Markets No 1 LLC
113 4920(2)
6000
3000
3000
5979
2991
2999
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
202 52820
DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank New
5000 5000
Sheffield Receivables Corp York 101 6920(2) 3000 2994 180 72120 3000 3000
34936 179 72320 3000 3000
Total ABS Commercial Paper DZ Bank AG London
(Cost $34936) 34936 094 9920 3000 3000
KBC Bank NV Brussels Branch
170 5420 4000 4000
Banking ndash 245 Kookmin Bank New York
Bank of America NA New York 183 4920 1000 1000
Branch La Banque Postale
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 183 51120 4000 4000 002) 178 5420(3) 2000 2000 170 61520 1000 1000
Bank of Montreal Chicago Branch Mitsubishi UFJ Trust amp Banking Corp (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
006) 190 41720(4)
072 31021
Bank of Montreal London Branch
170 4620
2000
3000
3000
2000
3000
3000
179 42920
176 51520
169 52120
164 6220
MUFG Bank Ltd
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
164 72020
172 72820
3000
2000
3000
2000 181 41420
Natixis SA New York Branch
3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Houston Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 013) 184 51320(3) 2000 2000
172 6320
Nordea Bank AB New York Branch
092 9420
3000
3000
3000
3000
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 13 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ndash
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d C O M M E R C I A L PA P E R 5 7
Banking ndash 245 continued
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
188 5420 $3000 $3000
Shizuoka Bank Ltd New York Branch
093 4820 1000 1000
Societe Generale London Branch
180 71720 1000 1000
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd London
161 52820 2000 2000
157 6120 2000 2000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
192 122320 1000 1000
Toronto Dominion Bank London Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 005) 166 52620(3) 2000 2000
164 52720 2000 2000
170 8720 3000 3000
Toronto Dominion Bank New York Branch
189 4320 3000 3000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 025) 163 4620(3) 3000 3000
187 42720 2000 2000
Westpac Banking Corp New York Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 003) 172 51920(3) 2000 2000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 015) 115 6820(3) 2000 2000
109000
Banking ndash 09 Korea Development Bank London
Branch Credit Agricole CIB New York
176 72920 2000 2000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
039) 212 51120(4) 3000 3001 172 8620
Total Certificates Of Deposit
1000 1000
3000 Wells Fargo Bank NA
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 035) 137 4620(3) 1000 1000
(Cost $112000) 112000 4001
Total Corporate NotesBonds
(Cost $4001) 4001
Foreign Agencies ndash 07
Banking ndash 48
DBS Bank Ltd
096 9120(2)
Nationwide Building Society
158 4220(2)
Natixis SA New York Branch
162 62420(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
196 41720(2)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 011) 185 5720(1) (3)
100 6820(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 007) 186 42720(1) (4)
Royal Bank of Canada
071 3921(2)
$2000
2000
2000
2000
4000
4500
3000
2000
$1992
2000
1993
1998
4000
4491
3000
1987
21461
Brokerage ndash 02
JPMorgan Securities LLC
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 016) 197 42320(1) (3) 1000 1000
Foreign Agencies ndash 02
Export Development Canada
153 6220(2) 1000 997
School ndash 05
Yale University
117 4120(2) 2000 2000
Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $25458) 25458
C O R P O R AT E N O T E S B O N D S 0 9
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 14 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash ndash
ndash
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
E U R O D O L L A R T I M E D E P O S I T S 4 0 0
Banking ndash 400
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
003 4120 $18000 $18000
006 4120 3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Toronto Branch
008 4120 12000 12000
Barclays Bank PLC London Branch
030 4120 12000 12000
Commonwealth Bank of Australia London
003 4120 17000 17000
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
006 4120 13000 13000
Credit Suisse AG Cayman Islands Branch
008 4120 15000 15000
DNB Bank ASA New York Branch
003 4120 22000 22000
KBC Bank NV New York Branch
004 4120 16000 16000
Mizuho Bank Ltd New York Branch
005 4120 21000 21000
Societe Generale Cayman Branch
006 4120 9000 9000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
001 4120 8000 8000
003 4120 12000 12000
178000
Total Eurodollar Time Deposits
(Cost $178000) 178000
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 1 8
US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 18
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 004) 013 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $7999)
$3000
5000
$3000
4999
7999
7999
Investments at Amortized Cost
( $362394) 362394
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 18 4 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 184
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $14000 002 4120 14000 14000
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 001 4120 5000 5000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 018 4120 5000 5000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $3000 023 4720 3000 3000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $55000 002 4120 55000 55000
82000
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $82000) 82000
Total Investments ndash 999
(Cost $444394) 444394
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 01 612
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $445006
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 15 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
(1) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements
are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
Corporate Bonds $8561 202 mdash 463 81624 mdash 101546
FHLMC $47086 200 mdash 700 5123 mdash 11149
FNMA $8953 350 mdash 500 7123 mdash 3150
GNMA $611 500 32050
US Treasury Bonds $5 338 51544
US Treasury Notes $19378 113 mdash 288 21522 mdash 22822
Total $84594
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
ABS ndash Asset-Backed Securities
CIB ndash Corporate and Investment Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $444394 $mdash $444394
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 16 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
ndash
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
A B S C O M M E RC I A L PA P E R 7 9 C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d
ABS Other ndash 79 Banking ndash 245 continued
Antalis SA (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
186 4820(1) (2) $1000 $1000 009) 194 51820(3) $3000 $3000
194 61020(1) (2) 3000 2989 179 81720 3000 3000
Barton Capital SA BNP Paribas SA New York Branch
180 41420(2) 2000 1999 192 42320 2000 2000
169 52220(2) 1000 998 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
103 6820(1) (2) 3000 2994 200 91420 4000 4000
Cancara Asset Securities LLC Commonwealth Bank of Australia
089 6920(2) 4000 3993 London
Concord Minutemen Capital Co LLC 265 43020 4000 4000
Class A Credit Agricole SA London Branch
193 4320(1) (2) 1000 1000 180 72320 2000 2000
Crown Point Capital Co LLC 176 73120 5000 5000
173 81820(1) 4000 4000 Credit Industrial et Commercial London
173 81920(1) 1000 1000 Branch
Kells Funding LLC 185 82020 3000 3000
166 61520(1) (2)
132 62320(1) (2)
Regency Markets No 1 LLC
113 4920(2)
6000
3000
3000
5979
2991
2999
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
202 52820
DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank New
5000 5000
Sheffield Receivables Corp York 101 6920(2) 3000 2994 180 72120 3000 3000
34936 179 72320 3000 3000
Total ABS Commercial Paper DZ Bank AG London
(Cost $34936) 34936 094 9920 3000 3000
KBC Bank NV Brussels Branch
170 5420 4000 4000
Banking ndash 245 Kookmin Bank New York
Bank of America NA New York 183 4920 1000 1000
Branch La Banque Postale
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 183 51120 4000 4000 002) 178 5420(3) 2000 2000 170 61520 1000 1000
Bank of Montreal Chicago Branch Mitsubishi UFJ Trust amp Banking Corp (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
006) 190 41720(4)
072 31021
Bank of Montreal London Branch
170 4620
2000
3000
3000
2000
3000
3000
179 42920
176 51520
169 52120
164 6220
MUFG Bank Ltd
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
164 72020
172 72820
3000
2000
3000
2000 181 41420
Natixis SA New York Branch
3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Houston Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 013) 184 51320(3) 2000 2000
172 6320
Nordea Bank AB New York Branch
092 9420
3000
3000
3000
3000
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 13 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ndash
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d C O M M E R C I A L PA P E R 5 7
Banking ndash 245 continued
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
188 5420 $3000 $3000
Shizuoka Bank Ltd New York Branch
093 4820 1000 1000
Societe Generale London Branch
180 71720 1000 1000
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd London
161 52820 2000 2000
157 6120 2000 2000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
192 122320 1000 1000
Toronto Dominion Bank London Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 005) 166 52620(3) 2000 2000
164 52720 2000 2000
170 8720 3000 3000
Toronto Dominion Bank New York Branch
189 4320 3000 3000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 025) 163 4620(3) 3000 3000
187 42720 2000 2000
Westpac Banking Corp New York Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 003) 172 51920(3) 2000 2000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 015) 115 6820(3) 2000 2000
109000
Banking ndash 09 Korea Development Bank London
Branch Credit Agricole CIB New York
176 72920 2000 2000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
039) 212 51120(4) 3000 3001 172 8620
Total Certificates Of Deposit
1000 1000
3000 Wells Fargo Bank NA
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 035) 137 4620(3) 1000 1000
(Cost $112000) 112000 4001
Total Corporate NotesBonds
(Cost $4001) 4001
Foreign Agencies ndash 07
Banking ndash 48
DBS Bank Ltd
096 9120(2)
Nationwide Building Society
158 4220(2)
Natixis SA New York Branch
162 62420(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
196 41720(2)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 011) 185 5720(1) (3)
100 6820(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 007) 186 42720(1) (4)
Royal Bank of Canada
071 3921(2)
$2000
2000
2000
2000
4000
4500
3000
2000
$1992
2000
1993
1998
4000
4491
3000
1987
21461
Brokerage ndash 02
JPMorgan Securities LLC
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 016) 197 42320(1) (3) 1000 1000
Foreign Agencies ndash 02
Export Development Canada
153 6220(2) 1000 997
School ndash 05
Yale University
117 4120(2) 2000 2000
Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $25458) 25458
C O R P O R AT E N O T E S B O N D S 0 9
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 14 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash ndash
ndash
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
E U R O D O L L A R T I M E D E P O S I T S 4 0 0
Banking ndash 400
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
003 4120 $18000 $18000
006 4120 3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Toronto Branch
008 4120 12000 12000
Barclays Bank PLC London Branch
030 4120 12000 12000
Commonwealth Bank of Australia London
003 4120 17000 17000
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
006 4120 13000 13000
Credit Suisse AG Cayman Islands Branch
008 4120 15000 15000
DNB Bank ASA New York Branch
003 4120 22000 22000
KBC Bank NV New York Branch
004 4120 16000 16000
Mizuho Bank Ltd New York Branch
005 4120 21000 21000
Societe Generale Cayman Branch
006 4120 9000 9000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
001 4120 8000 8000
003 4120 12000 12000
178000
Total Eurodollar Time Deposits
(Cost $178000) 178000
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 1 8
US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 18
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 004) 013 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $7999)
$3000
5000
$3000
4999
7999
7999
Investments at Amortized Cost
( $362394) 362394
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 18 4 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 184
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $14000 002 4120 14000 14000
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 001 4120 5000 5000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 018 4120 5000 5000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $3000 023 4720 3000 3000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $55000 002 4120 55000 55000
82000
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $82000) 82000
Total Investments ndash 999
(Cost $444394) 444394
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 01 612
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $445006
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 15 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
(1) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements
are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
Corporate Bonds $8561 202 mdash 463 81624 mdash 101546
FHLMC $47086 200 mdash 700 5123 mdash 11149
FNMA $8953 350 mdash 500 7123 mdash 3150
GNMA $611 500 32050
US Treasury Bonds $5 338 51544
US Treasury Notes $19378 113 mdash 288 21522 mdash 22822
Total $84594
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
ABS ndash Asset-Backed Securities
CIB ndash Corporate and Investment Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $444394 $mdash $444394
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 16 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
- ndash
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
C E R T I F I C AT E S O F D E P O S I T 2 5 2 c o n t i n u e d C O M M E R C I A L PA P E R 5 7
Banking ndash 245 continued
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
188 5420 $3000 $3000
Shizuoka Bank Ltd New York Branch
093 4820 1000 1000
Societe Generale London Branch
180 71720 1000 1000
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd London
161 52820 2000 2000
157 6120 2000 2000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
192 122320 1000 1000
Toronto Dominion Bank London Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 005) 166 52620(3) 2000 2000
164 52720 2000 2000
170 8720 3000 3000
Toronto Dominion Bank New York Branch
189 4320 3000 3000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 025) 163 4620(3) 3000 3000
187 42720 2000 2000
Westpac Banking Corp New York Branch
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 003) 172 51920(3) 2000 2000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 015) 115 6820(3) 2000 2000
109000
Banking ndash 09 Korea Development Bank London
Branch Credit Agricole CIB New York
176 72920 2000 2000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M +
039) 212 51120(4) 3000 3001 172 8620
Total Certificates Of Deposit
1000 1000
3000 Wells Fargo Bank NA
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 035) 137 4620(3) 1000 1000
(Cost $112000) 112000 4001
Total Corporate NotesBonds
(Cost $4001) 4001
Foreign Agencies ndash 07
Banking ndash 48
DBS Bank Ltd
096 9120(2)
Nationwide Building Society
158 4220(2)
Natixis SA New York Branch
162 62420(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd
196 41720(2)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 011) 185 5720(1) (3)
100 6820(2)
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 007) 186 42720(1) (4)
Royal Bank of Canada
071 3921(2)
$2000
2000
2000
2000
4000
4500
3000
2000
$1992
2000
1993
1998
4000
4491
3000
1987
21461
Brokerage ndash 02
JPMorgan Securities LLC
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M + 016) 197 42320(1) (3) 1000 1000
Foreign Agencies ndash 02
Export Development Canada
153 6220(2) 1000 997
School ndash 05
Yale University
117 4120(2) 2000 2000
Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $25458) 25458
C O R P O R AT E N O T E S B O N D S 0 9
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 14 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash ndash
ndash
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
E U R O D O L L A R T I M E D E P O S I T S 4 0 0
Banking ndash 400
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
003 4120 $18000 $18000
006 4120 3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Toronto Branch
008 4120 12000 12000
Barclays Bank PLC London Branch
030 4120 12000 12000
Commonwealth Bank of Australia London
003 4120 17000 17000
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
006 4120 13000 13000
Credit Suisse AG Cayman Islands Branch
008 4120 15000 15000
DNB Bank ASA New York Branch
003 4120 22000 22000
KBC Bank NV New York Branch
004 4120 16000 16000
Mizuho Bank Ltd New York Branch
005 4120 21000 21000
Societe Generale Cayman Branch
006 4120 9000 9000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
001 4120 8000 8000
003 4120 12000 12000
178000
Total Eurodollar Time Deposits
(Cost $178000) 178000
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 1 8
US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 18
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 004) 013 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $7999)
$3000
5000
$3000
4999
7999
7999
Investments at Amortized Cost
( $362394) 362394
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 18 4 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 184
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $14000 002 4120 14000 14000
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 001 4120 5000 5000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 018 4120 5000 5000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $3000 023 4720 3000 3000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $55000 002 4120 55000 55000
82000
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $82000) 82000
Total Investments ndash 999
(Cost $444394) 444394
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 01 612
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $445006
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 15 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
(1) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements
are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
Corporate Bonds $8561 202 mdash 463 81624 mdash 101546
FHLMC $47086 200 mdash 700 5123 mdash 11149
FNMA $8953 350 mdash 500 7123 mdash 3150
GNMA $611 500 32050
US Treasury Bonds $5 338 51544
US Treasury Notes $19378 113 mdash 288 21522 mdash 22822
Total $84594
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
ABS ndash Asset-Backed Securities
CIB ndash Corporate and Investment Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $444394 $mdash $444394
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 16 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
ndash ndash
ndash
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
E U R O D O L L A R T I M E D E P O S I T S 4 0 0
Banking ndash 400
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
003 4120 $18000 $18000
006 4120 3000 3000
Bank of Nova Scotia Toronto Branch
008 4120 12000 12000
Barclays Bank PLC London Branch
030 4120 12000 12000
Commonwealth Bank of Australia London
003 4120 17000 17000
Credit Industrial et Commercial Paris Branch
006 4120 13000 13000
Credit Suisse AG Cayman Islands Branch
008 4120 15000 15000
DNB Bank ASA New York Branch
003 4120 22000 22000
KBC Bank NV New York Branch
004 4120 16000 16000
Mizuho Bank Ltd New York Branch
005 4120 21000 21000
Societe Generale Cayman Branch
006 4120 9000 9000
Svenska Handelsbanken AB New York Branch
001 4120 8000 8000
003 4120 12000 12000
178000
Total Eurodollar Time Deposits
(Cost $178000) 178000
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 1 8
US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 18
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 004) 013 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $7999)
$3000
5000
$3000
4999
7999
7999
Investments at Amortized Cost
( $362394) 362394
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 18 4 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 184
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $14000 002 4120 14000 14000
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 001 4120 5000 5000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $5000 018 4120 5000 5000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $3000 023 4720 3000 3000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $55000 002 4120 55000 55000
82000
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $82000) 82000
Total Investments ndash 999
(Cost $444394) 444394
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 01 612
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $445006
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 15 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
(1) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements
are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
Corporate Bonds $8561 202 mdash 463 81624 mdash 101546
FHLMC $47086 200 mdash 700 5123 mdash 11149
FNMA $8953 350 mdash 500 7123 mdash 3150
GNMA $611 500 32050
US Treasury Bonds $5 338 51544
US Treasury Notes $19378 113 mdash 288 21522 mdash 22822
Total $84594
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
ABS ndash Asset-Backed Securities
CIB ndash Corporate and Investment Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $444394 $mdash $444394
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 16 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
(1) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements
are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
Corporate Bonds $8561 202 mdash 463 81624 mdash 101546
FHLMC $47086 200 mdash 700 5123 mdash 11149
FNMA $8953 350 mdash 500 7123 mdash 3150
GNMA $611 500 32050
US Treasury Bonds $5 338 51544
US Treasury Notes $19378 113 mdash 288 21522 mdash 22822
Total $84594
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
ABS ndash Asset-Backed Securities
CIB ndash Corporate and Investment Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $444394 $mdash $444394
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 16 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Arizona ndash 05 Florida ndash 153 continued
Arizona State School District COPS Florida State Housing Finance Corp TANS MFH Revenue Refunding Mortgage
200 72820 $1000 $1003 Bonds Cypress Lake Apartment M-1
California ndash 19 525 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 87-8 Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
060 4120(1) (2) 2879 2879
Highlands County Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Hospital Adventist Health System
370 4820(1) (2) 8000 8000
Irvine Improvement Bond Act 1915 Assessment District No 94-13
Jacksonville Health Care Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds
Special Assessment Adjustable Bonds (State Street BampT Co LOC)
Baptist Health
370 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
060 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000 Miami-Dade County Special Obligation
Los Angeles Department of Water amp Power System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Subseries A-6
067 4120(1) (2) 200 200
Juvenile Courthouse Revenue Bonds Series B (AMBAC Insured) (TD Bank NA LOC)
450 4820(1) (2) 9500 9500
Colorado ndash 34
4079 Pinellas County School District TRANS
225 63020 6000 6016
Colorado State Educational amp Cultural 33011
Facilities Authority Adjustable Georgia ndash 12
Revenue Bonds Bethany Lutheran Savannah EDA Exempt Facility Variable School Project (US Bank NA Revenue Bonds (AMT) Consolidated LOC) Utilities Project (Branch Banking amp
471 4820(1) (2) 1605 1605 Trust Co LOC)
Colorado State Educational Loan 525 4820(1) (2) 2630 2630
Program TRANS Series A Idaho ndash 12 300 62920 4000 4017 Idaho State GO Unlimited TANS
Colorado State General Fund TRANS 300 63020 2500 2510 500 62620 1600 1614 Illinois ndash 112
7236 Aurora Variable Revenue Bonds
Florida ndash 153 Counseling Center Fox Valley Project
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
(BMO Harris Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 1210 1210
Bonds Series K-1 Autumn Place Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (Suntrust Bank LOC) Authority Variable Convertible
527 4820(1) (2) 4995 4995 Revenue Bonds Series B Evanston
Florida State Housing Finance Corp MFH Mortgage Variable Revenue
Northwestern
085 4120(1) (2) 1800 1800
Bonds Series L Hudson Ridge Illinois State Development Finance Apartments (JPMorgan Chase Bank Authority Variable Revenue Bonds NA LOC) St Ignatius College Project (PNC
530 4820(1) (2) 1000 1000 Bank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2) 2850 2850
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 17 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Illinois ndash 112 continued
Illinois State Finance Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds North Western University
500 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Northwestern Memorial Hospital University
110 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A McKinley Foundation Project (Keybank NA LOC)
400 4820(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series B University of Chicago Medical Center (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
075 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-2 University of Chicago Medical (PNC Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Finance Authority Variable Revenue Bonds University Chicago Medical-E-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
085 4120(1) (2)
Illinois State Health Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Evanston Hospital Corp
485 4820(1) (2)
Tender Option Bond Trust ReceiptsCertificates Various States Floaters Revenue Bonds Series 2018-XF253
500 4820(1) (2) (3)
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
$130
150
6645
400
1500
200
2800
6400
24085
Indiana ndash 11
Indiana State Finance Authority Health System Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series J Sisters of St Francis (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
085 4120(1) (2) 1400 1400
Indiana ndash 11 continued
Indianapolis Variable RBrookhaveLOC)
078 4
Economic Development evenue Refunding Bonds n County (US Bank NA
120(1) (2) $1000 $1000
2400
Iowa ndash 40
Iowa State FiEducationa
nance Authority l Facilities Variable
Revenue BSchools (U
070 4
onds Holy Family Catholic S Bank NA LOC)
120(1) (2) 3850 3850
Iowa State FiRevenue BServices (BLOC)
471 4
nance Authority Variable onds Wesley Retirement ank of America NA
820(1) (2) 680 680
Iowa State HiAuthority PVariable RCollege PrNA LOC)
075 4
gher Education Loan rivate College Facilities evenue Bonds Loras oject (Bank of America
120(1) (2) 400 400
Tender OptioReceiptsCBonds Series 2017-XM0492
n Bond Trust ertificates Floater Revenue
500 4820(1) (2) (3) 3750 3750
8680
Kansas ndash 02
University of Health Fac
Kansas Hospital Authority ilities Variable Revenue
Bonds KU NA LOC)
070 4
Health System (US Bank
120(1) (2) 375 375
Kentucky ndash 05
Lexington-FayGovernme
ette Urban County nt Variable Revenue
Refunding (Traditiona
550 4
Bonds Eastland Parkway l Bank Inc LOC)
820(1) (2) 1010 1010
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 18 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Maryland ndash 16
Maryland State Health amp Higher Educational Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Odenton Christian School (PNC Bank NA LOC)
471 4820(1) (2) $3535 $3535
Massachusetts ndash 33
Massachusetts State Development Finance Agency Mass Credit Revenue Bonds Series A Wilber School Apartments (Bank of America NA LOC)
485 4820(1) (2) 500 500
Massachusetts State GO Limited RANS Series B
400 52120 6500 6525
7025
Michigan ndash 14
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-1 (State Aid Withholding)
400 82020 1000 1010
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue Notes Series A-2 (State Aid Withholding) (JPMorgan Chase NA LOC)
200 82020 1000 1003
University of Michigan General Variable Revenue Bonds Series D-1
055 4120(1) (2) 1000 1000
3013
Minnesota ndash 57
City of Eden Prairie Minnesota MFH Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Eden Glen Apartments Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1065 1065
Minnesota State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series 6Q Concordia University St Paul (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) 2600 2600
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Minnesota ndash 57 continued
Minnetonka MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Tonka Creek Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) $3295 $3295
Owatonna City Housing Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Series A Second Century Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 1805 1805
Saint Louis Park MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Shoreham Project (Bridgewater Bank LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 3410 3410
12175
Mississippi ndash 14
Mississippi State Business Finance Commission Gulf Opportunity Zone Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Chevron USA Inc
065 4120(1) (2) 3000 3000
Missouri ndash 24
Bridgeton IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Stolze Printing Project (Carrollton Bank LOC)
531 4820(1) (2) 100 100
Platte County IDA Adjustable Revenue Refunding Bonds Housing Wexford Project (FHLMC LOC)
600 4820(1) (2) 205 205
Saint Charles County IDA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Casalon Apartments Project (FNMA Insured)
525 4820(1) (2) 4910 4910
5215
New Jersey ndash 23
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Virtua Health (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC)
339 4820(1) (2) 5000 5000
New York ndash 06
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Adjustable Subordinate Revenue Bonds Series E-4
075 4120(1) (2) 1200 1200
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 19 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
- -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
North Carolina ndash 06
Raleigh Comb Enterprise System Variable Revenue Bonds Series B
495 4820(1) (2) $1200 $1200
Ohio ndash 10
Ohio State Higher Educational Facilities Commission Revenue Bonds Cleveland Clinic Health System Obligation
075 4120(1) (2)
Ross County Hospital Adjustable Revenue Bonds Adena Health System (PNC Bank NA LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
1195
990
1195
990
2185
Oregon ndash 01
Oregon State Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Series A Quatama Crossing Housing (FNMA LOC)
520 4820(1) (2) 300 300
Pennsylvania ndash 63
Lancaster County Hospital Authority Senior Living Facilities Variable Revenue Bonds Quarryville Presbyterian (Manufacturers amp Traders LOC)
475 4820(1) (2)
RBC Municipal Products Inc Trust Revenue Bonds Series E-101 Floater Certificates (Royal Bank of Canada LOC)
476 4820(1) (2)
8540
5000
8540
5000
13540
Rhode Island ndash 10
Rhode Island State Health amp Educational Building Corp Higher Educational Facilities Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Bryant University (TD Bank NA LOC)
525 4820(1) (2) 2120 2120
South Carolina ndash 20
Greenville County School District GO Limited Notes Series C (SCSDE Insured)
400 6120 2900 2913
South Carolina ndash 20 continued
South Carolina Jobs-EDA Economic Development Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Prisma Health Obligation Group (US Bank NA LOC)
110 4120(1) (2) $1500 $1500
4413
South Dakota ndash 12
South Dakota State Housing Development Authority MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Country Meadows Apartments Project
475 4820(1) (2) 2500 2500
Tennessee ndash 17
Clarksville Public Building Authority Adjustable Revenue Bonds Pooled Financing-Tennessee Bond Fund (Bank of America NA LOC)
097 4120(1) (2) 3715 3715
Texas ndash 176
Bexar County HFA Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Altamonte Apartments Project (FNMA LOC)
550 4820(1) (2) 3000 3000
City of Austin Bonds
118 6220 3000 3000
Gulf Coast IDA Variable Revenue Bonds Exxon Mobil Project
065 4120(1) (2) 4730 4730
Harris County Hospital District Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Senior Lien (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
495 4820(1) (2) 3990 3990
Houston Revenue TRANS
300 62620 3000 3013
JP Morgan Chase PuttersDrivers Various States Revenue Bonds Series 5018 For Harris (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC)
100 4120(1) (2) (3) 2000 2000
Mesquite Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds Series A (PSF Gtd)
627 4820(1) (2) 2160 2160
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 20 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
- -
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
Texas ndash 176 continued
Northwest Independent School District Variable GO Unlimited Bonds (PSF Gtd)
626 4820(1) (2) $500 $500
Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp Variable Revenue Bonds Total Petrochemicals
705 4820(1) (2) 3600 3600
RIB Floater Trust Revenue Bonds Series 2019-10 Floater Certificates (Barclays Bank PLC LOC)
214 4820(1) (2) (3) 5000 5000
San Antonio Texas Bonds
089 9820 2000 2000
Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Refunding Bonds Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
081 4120(1) (2) 1300 1300
Tarrant County Cultural Educational Facilities Finance Corp Hospital Variable Revenue Bonds Series A-R Methodist Hospitals Dallas (TD Bank NA LOC)
065 4120(1) (2) 2400 2400
Texas State Department of Housing amp Community Affairs MFH Variable Revenue Bonds Costa Mariposa Apartments
531 4820(1) (2) 170 170
University of Texas System Bonds
129 52620 1000 1000
37863
Washington ndash 22
Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Variable Revenue Bonds Whitman College Project
525 4820(1) (2) 2915 2915
Washington State Housing Finance Commission Variable Revenue Bonds Draw Down Redmond Ridge Apartments (FHLB LOC)
325 4820(1) (2) 1800 1800
4715
M U N I C I PA L I N V E S T M E N T S 9 5 8 c o n t i n u e d
West Virginia ndash 06
West Virginia State Hospital Finance Authority Variable Revenue Refunding amp Improvement Bonds Series A Cabell Hospital (Branch Banking amp Trust LOC)
502 4820(1) (2)
Municipal States Pooled Securities ndash 23
Blackrock Muniyield Quality Fund III Inc Variable Tax-Exempt Preferreds Bonds (AMT)
521 4820(1) (2) (3)
Total Municipal Investments
(Cost $206113)
$1380
5000
$1380
5000
206113
Total Investments ndash 958
(Cost $206113)
Other Assets less Liabilities ndash 42
206113
8984
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $215097
(1) Rate is determined by a remarketing agent which in its judgment on the basis of prevailing financial markets will be the lowest interest rate necessary to enable the remarketing agent to sell the bonds at a price equal to 100 of the principal amount
(2) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date represents the date when principal payments may be due taking into account any call options exercised and any permissible maturity shortening features
(3) Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers The value of these securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
AMBAC ndash American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
AMT ndash Alternative Minimum Tax
COPS ndash Certificates of Participation
EDA ndash Economic Development Authority
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GO ndash General Obligation
Gtd ndash Guaranteed
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 21 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020
HFA ndash Housing Finance Authority
IDA ndash Industrial Development Authority
LOC ndash Letter of Credit
MFH ndash Multi-Family Housing
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
PSF ndash Permanent School Fund
RANS ndash Revenue Anticipation Notes
RIB ndash Residual Interest Bond
SCSDE ndash South Carolina State Department of Education
TANS ndash Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS ndash Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
At March 31 2020 the industry sectors (unaudited) for the Fund were
I N D U S T RY S E C TO R OF TOTAL INVESTMENTS
City 54
Hospital 207
Housing 139
Miscellaneous Revenues 79
School 119
State 108
University 107
All other sectors less than 5 187
Total 1000
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 22 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by Municipal Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $206113 $mdash $206113
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 64 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274
FFCB Discount Notes FHLB Bonds
204 4720(2) $15000 $14995 169 41720 $95000 $94999
206 42220(2) 20000 19976 263 52820 40000 40026
209 6220(2) 20000 19929 159 61720 190000 189990
191 72220(2) 20000 19883 159 62320 55000 54995
191 81020(2) 25000 24829 163 7620 100000 100000
190 9120(2) 15000 14881 163 102820 36500 36512
189 91520(2) 35000 34696 FHLB Discount Notes
162 92320(2) 50000 49611 157 4720(2) 150000 149961
163 102620(2) 20000 19814 158 4920(2) 185000 184935
162 11320(2) 15000 14856 167 42220(2) 36000 35965
162 11420(2) 20000 19807 120 52820(2) 240000 239540
163 111020(2) 57000 56432 161 6220(2) 95000 94738
163 111720(2) 34000 33650 159 61220(2) 50000 49842
FFCB Notes 151 62520(2) 165000 164414
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 151 7120(2) 150000 149431 008 4120(3) 20000 20000 009 71320(2) 85000 84978
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 19000 19000
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
145000
145000
144411
144933 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
30000
160000
15000
30000
159963
15000
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
043 91120(2)
015 10120(2)
058 12720(2)
110000
70000
200000
35000
130000
109790
69844
199602
34973
129476
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 035 122920(2) 100000 99736
020 4120(3) 35000 35000 045 3821(2) 41000 40825
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes
015) 024 4120(3) 20000 20000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 125000 125000
022) 031 4120(3) 65000 64992 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 125000 125000
014) 177 4120(3) 75000 75000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy 007 4120(3) 45000 45000
005) 097 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 35000 35000
009) 145 4620(3) 55000 55000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 009 4120(3) 160000 160000
000) 071 41420(4) 65000 65000 (Floating US SOFR + 010)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 011 4120(3) 30000 30000
008) 102 43020(3) 45000 44999 (Floating US SOFR + 015)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 016 4120(3) 70000 70000
014) 157 51320(4) 60000 60000 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
1062313 021) 169 4620(3) 100000 100000
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 173 4620(3) 25000 25000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 371 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 23 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
-
ndash
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T A G E N C I E S 3 71 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 274 continued US Treasury Bonds ndash 06
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 163 63020 $55000 $54933 017) 170 4820(3) $100000 $100000 263 81520 45000 45137
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy
100000 100000 US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 35
100070
008) 068 42020(3) 150000 150000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy018) 162 42820(3) 225000 225000
MMY + 004) 013 4120(3) 100000 99997
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
130000
120000
150000
205000
130000
120059
150000
205000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 012) 020 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 015) 024 4120(3)
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 022) 031 4120(3)
70000
75000
245000
69942
74967
244950 4538975 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ndash 32
FHLMC Bonds
MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 85000 85064
138 5120 60000 59959 574920
238 21621 45000 45473 US Treasury Notes ndash 95
FHLMC Discount Notes 225 33121 100000 101977
067 71720(2) 300000 299394 US Treasury Notes
FHLMC Notes 238 43020 100000 100026
(Floating US SOFR + 005) 250 53120 170000 170170 006 4120(3) 40000 40000 163 73120 65000 64967
(Floating US SOFR + 014) 015 4120(3) 90000 90000
263 73120
138 83120
145000
55000
145398
54901 534826 275 93020 50000 50208
Federal National Mortgage Association ndash 01 163 101520 35000 34999
FNMA Notes 138 103120 80000 79871
(Floating US SOFR + 010) 288 103120 240000 241690 011 4120(3) 25000 25000 163 113020 65000 64976
Total US Government Agencies 275 113020 155000 156112 (Cost $6161114) 6161114 188 121520 30000 30052
213 13121 40000 40639
250 13121 70000 70647
US Treasury Bills ndash 21
010 4220(2) 100000 99950
008 7220(2) 200000 199957
182 81320(2) 50000 49665
349572
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I G AT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 24 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
US Treasury Notes ndash 95 continued Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
225 21521 $100000 $101776 Federal Reserve Bank of New York
238 41521 65000 66429 dated 33120 repurchase price
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $2599400)
1574838
2599400
$250000 000 4120
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price
$250000 $250000
$825000
Investments at Amortized Cost 001 4120 825000 825000
( $8760514) 8760514 JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price
Joint Repurchase Agreements ndash 04(5) (6)
$150089 006 7420
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated
150000 150000
Bank of America Securities Inc 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $320000 $32065 002 4120 320000 320000 132 4720 32057 32057 NatWest Markets PLC dated
Societe Generale New York Branch 33120 repurchase price dated 33120 repurchase price $250001 $32056 002 4720 250000 250000 001 4720 32056 32056 NatWest Markets PLC dated
64113 33120 repurchase price
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484(7)
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $470000 001 4120
Bank of Nova Scotia dated 33120 repurchase price $600000 002 4120
Barclays Bank PLC dated 32420
470000
600000
470000
600000
$475000 002 4120
NatWest Markets PLC dated 33120 repurchase price $750001 001 4720
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $1725001 002 4120
475000
750000
1725000
475000
750000
1725000
repurchase price $50003 013 4720 50000 50000
BNP Paribas SA dated 31020 repurchase price $400233 070 4920 400000 400000
BNY Mellon Capital Markets LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $900000 001 4120 900000 900000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $37343 001 4120 37343 37343
Deutsche Bank AG dated 33120 repurchase price $200000 001 4120 200000 200000
R E P U R C H A S E AG R E E M E N T S 4 8 8
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 25 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
-
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 8 8 c o n t i n u e d
Repurchase Agreements ndash 484 (7) continued
Nomura Securities International Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $75000 001 4120 $75000 $75000
Royal Bank of Canada New York Branch dated 33120 repurchase price $550002 002 4720 550000 550000
8027343
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $8091456) 8091456
Total Investments ndash 1016
(Cost $16851970) 16851970
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (16) (265311)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $16586659
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed (5) Interest rates are reset daily and interest is payable monthly Rates are
determined based on technical market conditions which currently are driven by supply and demand
(6) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the joint repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
US Treasury Bonds $214 300 111545
US Treasury Notes $64861 025 mdash 063 71521mdash71529
Total $65075
(7) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE (000S)
COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $295874 000 mdash 713 52920mdash122838
FHLMC $659140 000 mdash 700 42520mdash4150
FNMA $1392366 000 mdash 725 41520mdash3150
GNMA $1100271 250 mdash 700 91524mdash32050
TVA $31881 000 mdash 713 11527mdash91565
US Treasury Bills $445740 000 4720mdash22521
US Treasury Bonds $1055082 000 mdash 875 51520mdash21550
US Treasury Notes $3223576 000 mdash 313 41520mdash21530
Total $8203930
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
PLC ndash Public Limited Company
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 26 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $16851970 $mdash $16851970
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 27 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
ndash -
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 Federal Farm Credit Bank ndash 80 continued
FFCB Discount Notes (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M +
204 4720(2) $3000 $2999 008) 102 43020(3) $8000 $8000
057 41720(2)
206 42220(2)
40000
3000
39989
2996
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 157 51320(4) 15000 15000
160 5720(2) 45000 44929 290471
164 51920(2) 2000 1996 Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322
161 61620(2) 3000 2990 FHLB Bonds
191 72220(2) 5000 4971 169 41720 15000 15000
191 81020(2) 4000 3973 263 52820 5000 5003
161 82120(2) 4000 3975 225 6320 24515 24517
190 9120(2) 3000 2976 159 61720 35000 34998
189 91520(2) 5000 4956 159 62320 10000 9999
162 92320(2) 5000 4961 163 7620 15000 15000
163 102620(2) 2000 1981 062 9820 120000 120009
162 11320(2) 2000 1981 163 102820 7570 7573
162 11420(2) 5000 4952 FHLB Discount Notes
162 111020(2) 7000 6930 157 4720(2) 30000 29992
019 111720(2) 12000 11922 158 4920(2) 35000 34988
FFCB Notes 167 42220(2) 6000 5994
(Floating US SOFR + 007) 120 52820(2) 50000 49904 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 161 6220(2) 20000 19945
(Floating US SOFR + 008) 009 4120(3) 4000 4000
151 62520(2)
151 7120(2)
35000
30000
34876
29886 (Floating US SOFR + 014)
015 4120(3)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 010) 019 4120(3)
(Floating US SOFR + 018) 019 4120(3)
5000
30000
3000
5000
29993
3000
009 71320(2)
139 71620(2)
009 71720(2)
043 9420(2)
049 9920(2)
45000
40000
35000
65000
15000
44988
39838
34984
64876
14967
(Floating US SOFR + 019) 015 10120(2) 10000 9992
020 4120(3) 6000 6000 058 12720(2) 30000 29879
(Floating US Federal Funds + 035 122920(2) 20000 19947
014) 023 4120(3) 10000 10003 045 3821(2) 9000 8962
(Floating US Federal Funds + FHLB Notes 015) 024 4120(3) 5000 5000 (Floating US SOFR + 002)
(Floating US Federal Funds + 003 4120(3) 25000 25000 022) 031 4120(3) 15000 14998 (Floating US SOFR + 003)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy 004 4120(3) 46000 46000 014) 177 4120(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US SOFR + 006)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 007 4120(3) 10000 10000 009) 145 4620(3) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 007)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M + 008 4120(3) 5000 5000 000) 071 41420(4) 10000 10000 (Floating US SOFR + 008)
009 4120(3) 55000 55000
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 28 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
-
ndash
-
MARCH 31 2020
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S) (000S) (000S)
Federal Home Loan Bank ndash 322 continued US Treasury Floating Rate Notes ndash 33
(Floating US SOFR + 010) (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill 011 4120(3) $6000 $6000 MMY + 004) 013
(Floating US SOFR + 012) 4120(3) $20000 $20000
013 4120(3) 6000 6000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating US SOFR + 015) 016 4120(3) 15000 15000
MMY + 012) 020 4120(3) 20000 19983
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
021) 169 4620(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
22000 22000 MMY + 015) 024 4120(3) 15000 14994
017) 170 4820(3) 15000 15000 (Floating US Treasury 3M Bill
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy017) 171 4920(3) 20000 20000
MMY + 022) 031 4120(3) 45000 44992
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 1M shy008) 068 42020(3)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
25000 25000
(Floating US Treasury 3M Bill MMY + 014) 043 4120(3) 20000 20015
019) 162 42720(3) 60000 60000 119984
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy US Treasury Notes ndash 87 018) 162 42820(3) 50000 50000 238 43020 15000 15004
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy014) 163 5420(3) 25000 25000
250 53120
250 63020
30000
10000
30030
10017 (Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy
019) 150 51520(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 149 51820(4)
(Floating ICE LIBOR USD 3M shy021) 101 62520(4)
25000
25000
18000
25012
25000
18000
263 73120
138 83120
275 93020
163 101520
288 103120
20000
10000
10000
5000
45000
20055
9982
10041
5000
45317
1159129 263 111520 20000 20120
Total US Government Agencies
(Cost $1449600) 1449600
163 113020
275 113020
188 121520
15000
30000
5000
14994
30215
5009
213 13121 10000 10160
US Treasury Bills ndash 31
010 4220(2)
003 42120(2)
003 51920(2)
008 7220(2)
182 81320(2)
20000
20000
20000
40000
10000
19990
20000
19999
39991
9933
109913
250 13121
225 21521
113 22821
238 41521
Total US Government Obligations
(Cost $564555)
15000
5000
58000
10000
15139
5089
58248
10220
314640
564555
US Treasury Bonds ndash 06 Investments at Amortized Cost 163 63020 10000 9988 ( $2014155) 2014155 263 81520 10000 10030
20018
U S G OV E R N M E N T AG E N C I E S 4 0 2 ( 1 ) c o n t i n u e d U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7 c o n t i n u e d
U S G OV E R N M E N T O B L I GAT I O N S 15 7
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 29 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
ndash
S C H E D U L E O F I N V E S T M E N T S
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D c o n t i n u e d
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT VALUE
(000S) (000S)
R E P U R C H A S E A G R E E M E N T S 4 5 6 ( 5 )
Repurchase Agreements ndash 456
Bank of America NA dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 001 4120 $650000 $650000
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dated 2520 repurchase price $100280 160 4720 100000 100000
Citigroup Global Markets Inc dated 33120 repurchase price $68871 001 4120 68871 68871
Fixed Income Clearing Co dated 33120 repurchase price $175000 001 4120 175000 175000
JPMorgan Securities LLC dated 33120 repurchase price $650000 002 4120 650000 650000
1643871
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $1643871) 1643871
Total Investments ndash 1015
(Cost $3658026) 3658026
Liabilities less Other Assets ndash (15) (55583)
NET ASSETS ndash 1000 $3602443
(1) The obligations of certain US government-sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United States Treasury
(2) Discount rate at the time of purchase (3) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed Maturity date
represents the next interest reset date The securityrsquos legal final maturity date is longer than the reset date Securities with longer maturity dates have a greater sensitivity to changes in liquidity interest rate risk andor credit risk
(4) Variable rate security Rate as of March 31 2020 is disclosed
(5) The nature and terms of the collateral received for the repurchase agreements are as follows
NAME
FAIR VALUE
(000S) COUPON RATES
MATURITY DATES
FHLB $27931 200mdash415 102822mdash22536
FHLMC $514348 250mdash700 6120mdash3150
FNMA $201553 000mdash663 11523mdash3150
GNMA $697453 350mdash650 41532mdash32050
TVA $301 000 61535
US Treasury Bonds $17 075 21542
US Treasury Notes $248737 050mdash288 22924mdash51524
Total $1690340
EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
1M ndash 1 Month
3M ndash 3 Month
FFCB ndash Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB ndash Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC ndash Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA ndash Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA ndash Government National Mortgage Association
ICE ndash Intercontinental Exchange
LIBOR ndash London Interbank Offered Rate
MMY ndash Money Market Yield
SOFR ndash Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TVA ndash Tennessee Valley Authority
USD ndash United States Dollar
Percentages shown are based on Net Assets
See Notes to the Financial Statements
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 30 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
MARCH 31 2020
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fundrsquos investments These inputs are summarized in three levels listed below
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities on the measurement date Level 2 - Other observable inputs (eg quoted prices in active markets for similar securities securities valuations based on commonly quoted benchmark interest rates and yield curves maturities ratings andor securities indices) Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (eg information about assumptions including risk market participants would use in pricing a security)
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and other financial instruments if any The following table summarizes the valuations of the Fundrsquos investments which are carried at amortized cost or at cost for repurchase agreements which approximates fair value by the above fair value hierarchy as of March 31 2020
LEVEL 1 (000S)
LEVEL 2 (000S)
LEVEL 3 (000S)
TOTAL (000S)
Investments held by US Government Select Money Market Fund(1) $mdash $3658026 $mdash $3658026
(1) Classifications as defined in the Schedule of Investments
See Notes to the Financial Statements
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 31 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S
1 O RGA N I Z AT I O N
Northern Funds (the ldquoTrustrdquo) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the ldquo1940 Actrdquo) as an open-end management investment company The Trust offers 43 funds as of March 31 2020 each with its own investment objective (eg long-term capital appreciation total return or income consistent with preservation of capital) The Money Market Municipal Money Market US Government Money Market and US Government Select Money Market Funds (each a ldquoFundrdquo and collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) are separate diversified investment portfolios of the Trust Each of the Funds is presented herein
Northern Trust Investments Inc (ldquoNTIrdquo) a subsidiary of The Northern Trust Company (ldquoNorthern Trustrdquo) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each of the Funds Northern Trust serves as the custodian transfer agent and sub-administrator for the Trust Northern Funds Distributors LLC not an affiliate of NTI is the Trustrsquos distributor
The Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund seek to qualify as retail money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) The US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund seek to qualify as government money market funds in accordance with criteria established by the SEC
2 S I G N I F I C A N T AC C O U N T I N G P O L I C I E S
The Trust which is an investment company follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (ldquoFASBrdquo) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (ldquoUS GAAPrdquo) The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period Actual results may differ from those estimates
A) VALUATION OF SECURITIES The investments held by the Funds are valued at amortized cost which NTI as authorized by the Trustrsquos Board of Trustees (the ldquoBoardrdquo) has determined approximates fair value Under this method investments purchased at a discount or premium are valued by accreting or amortizing the difference between the original purchase price and maturity value of the issue over the period to effective maturity
The use of fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other unaffiliated investment companies and investors to price the same investments
B) CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS Certain investments owned by the Funds (primarily the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund) are covered by insurance issued by private insurers are backed by an escrow or trust containing US government securities or US government agency securities or are otherwise supported by letters of credit standby purchase agreements or other liquidity facilities Such enhancements may ensure the timely payment of the securityrsquos principal and interest or may shorten the securityrsquos maturity However such enhancements do not guarantee the market value of the securities or the value of a Fundrsquos shares Additionally there is no guarantee that an insurer will meet its obligations For example exposure to securities involving sub-prime mortgages may cause a municipal bond insurerrsquos rating to be downgraded or may cause the bond insurer to become insolvent which may affect the prices and liquidity of municipal obligations insured by the insurer
C) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a master repurchase agreement by which the Funds purchase securities for cash from a seller and agree to resell those securities to the same seller at a specific price within a specified time or with an indefinite life and liquidity feature which allows the Funds to resell the securities quarterly The interest rate on such repurchase agreements resets daily During the term of a repurchase agreement the fair value of the underlying collateral including accrued interest is required to equal or exceed the fair value of the repurchase agreement The underlying collateral for tri-party repurchase agreements is held in accounts for Northern Trust as agent of the Funds at The Bank of New York Mellon State Street Bank and Trust Company or JPMorgan Chase which in turn holds securities through the book-entry system at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York The underlying collateral for other repurchase agreements is held in a customer-only account for Northern Trust as custodian for the Funds at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago The Funds are subject to credit risk on repurchase agreements to the extent that the counterparty fails to perform under the agreement and the value of the collateral received falls below the agreed repurchase price If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security realization of collateral by the Funds may be delayed or limited Certain Funds have entered into such repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in their accompanying Schedules of Investments
Pursuant to exemptive relief granted by the SEC US Govshyernment Money Market Fund and certain other money market portfolios advised by NTI and Northern Trust may enter into joint repurchase agreements with non-affiliated counterparties through a master repurchase agreement NTI administers and manages these joint repurchase agreements in accordance with and as part
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 32 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
of its duties under its management agreements with the Funds and does not collect any additional fees from the Funds for such services The US Government Money Market Fund has entered into such joint repurchase agreements at March 31 2020 as reflected in its accompanying Schedule of Investments
The Funds may enter into transactions subject to enforceable netting arrangements (ldquoNetting Arrangementsrdquo) under a repurchase agreement Generally Netting Arrangements allow the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty In addition
Netting Arrangements provide the right for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate the net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral Generally the Funds manage their cash collateral and securities collateral on a counterparty basis As of March 31 2020 the Funds have not invested in any portfolio securities other than the repurchase agreements described below with gross exposures on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities that could be netted subject to Netting Arrangements
The following table presents the repurchase agreements which are subject to Netting Arrangements as well as the collateral delivered related to those repurchase agreements
GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL NET
Amounts in thousands COUNTERPARTY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES INSTRUMENTS AMOUNT
Money Market Citigroup $ 14000 $ (14000) $ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 5000 (5000) ndash
HSBC Securities 5000 (5000) ndash
JPMorgan 58000 (58000) ndash
Total $ 82000 $ (82000) $ndash
US Government Money Market Bank of America $ 502057 $ (502057) $ndash
Bank of Nova Scotia 600000 (600000) ndash
Barclays Capital 50000 (50000) ndash
BNP Paribas 400000 (400000) ndash
BNY Mellon 900000 (900000) ndash
Citgroup 37343 (37343) ndash
Deutsche Bank 200000 (200000) ndash
Federal Reserve Bank of New York 250000 (250000) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing Co 825000 (825000) ndash
JPMorgan 470000 (470000) ndash
NatWest 1475000 (1475000) ndash
Nomura Securities 1800000 (1800000) ndash
Royal Bank of Canada 550000 (550000) ndash
Societe Generale 32056 (32056) ndash
Total $8091456 $(8091456) $ndash
US Government Select Money Market Bank of America $ 650000 $ (650000) $ndash
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 100000 (100000) ndash
Citigroup 68871 (68871) ndash
Fixed Income Clearing 175000 (175000) ndash
JPMorgan 650000 (650000) ndash
Total $1643871 $(1643871) $ndash
Collateral received is reflected up to the fair value of the repurchase agreement Refer to the Schedules of Investments
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 33 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
D) INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME Investment transactions are recorded as of the trade date The Funds determine the gain or loss realized from investment transactions by using an identified cost basis method Interest income if any is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts Certain Funds may receive dividend income if any from investment companies Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date The Municipal Money Market Fundrsquos income may be subject to certain state and local taxes and depending on an individual shareholderrsquos tax status the federal alternative minimum tax
E) EXPENSES Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to that Fund Expenses incurred which do not specifically relate to an individual Fund generally are allocated among all Funds in the Trust in proportion to each Fundrsquos relative net assets
F) LIQUIDITY FEES AND REDEMPTION GATES For the Money Market Fund and Municipal Money Market Fund only each Fund may impose a liquidity fee of up to 2 percent on redemptions from the Fund or temporarily restrict redemptions from the Fund for up to 10 business days in any given 90-day period (a ldquoredemption gaterdquo) in the event that the Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below the following thresholds
30 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 30 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day and the Board determines it is in the best interests of the Fund the Board may impose a liquidity fee of no more than 2 percent of the amount redeemed andor a redemption gate that temporarily suspends the right of redemption Liquidity fees andor redemption gates may be implemented as early as the same business day that the weekly liquid assets of the Fund fall below 30 percent of the total assets
10 percent weekly liquid assets ndash If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets as of the end of a business day the Fund will impose at the beginning of the next business day a liquidity fee of 1 percent of the amount redeemed unless the Board determines that imposing such a fee would not be in the best interests of the Fund or determines that a lower or higher fee (not to exceed 2 percent) would be in the best interest of the Fund
If a Fund imposes a redemption gate the Fund and the Fundrsquos authorized intermediaries will not accept redemption orders until the Fund has notified shareholders that the redemption gate has been lifted
Liquidity fees and redemption gates may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Board In addition liquidity fees and redemption gates will terminate at the beginning of the next business day once the Fund has invested 30 percent or more of its total assets in weekly liquid assets A Fund may only suspend redemptions for up to 10 business days in any 90-day period
Liquidity fees would generally be used to assist the Funds to stem redemptions during times of market stress
A liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the redemption of your shares and will generally decrease the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you will recognize with respect to the redemption
If a Fundrsquos weekly liquid assets fall below 10 percent of the Fundrsquos total assets the Fund reserves the right to permanently suspend redemptions and liquidate if the Board determines that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating
Liquidity fees if any are included in Payments for Shares Redeemed in Note 9mdashCapital Share Transactions No liquidity fees or redemption gates were imposed by the Money Market Fund or Municipal Money Market Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
G) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distribution of dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly Distributions of net realized capital gains if any are declared and paid at least annually Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date The timing and character of distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ from financial statement amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP due to differences in the treatment and recognition of investment income and realized gains and losses These differences are primarily related to the capital loss carryforwards Inherent differences in the recognition of income and capital gains for federal income tax purposes which are permanent may result in periodic reclassifications in the Fundsrsquo capital accounts These reclassifications may relate to net operating losses and expired capital loss carryforwards These reclassifications have no impact on the net assets or the net asset value (ldquoNAVrdquo) of the Funds
At March 31 2020 the following reclassifications were recorded
ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED Amounts in thousands INCOME (LOSS) GAINS (LOSSES)
Money Market $ 2 $ (2)
US Government Money Market 253 (253)
US Government Select Money Market 42 (42)
H) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES No provision for federal income taxes has been made since each Fundrsquos policy is to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the ldquoCoderdquo) applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute each year substantially all of its taxable income and tax-exempt income to its shareholders
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 34 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the ldquoActrdquo) allows capital losses to be carried forward for an unlimited period and to retain their character as either short-term or long-term The Fundsrsquo ability to utilize capital loss carry-forwards in the future may be limited under the Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions
Capital losses incurred that will be carried forward indefinitely under the provisions of the Act are as follows
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM CAPITAL LOSS CAPITAL LOSS
Amounts in thousands CARRYFORWARD CARRYFOWARD
Municipal Money Market $29 $mdash
At March 31 2020 the tax components of undistributed net investment income and realized gains including amounts declared but not yet paid for federal income tax purposes were as follows
UNDISTRIBUTED
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 514 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 358 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 9139 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 1937 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market $ mdash $ 11250 $mdash
Municipal Money Market 4109 mdash mdash
US Government Money Market mdash 292087 mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 54461 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 was as follows
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
Amounts in thousands TAX-EXEMPT
INCOME ORDINARY INCOME
LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Money Market
Municipal Money Market
$ mdash $ 9571 $mdash
7788 mdash mdash
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
TAX-EXEMPT ORDINARY LONG-TERM Amounts in thousands INCOME INCOME CAPITAL GAINS
US Government Money Market $ mdash $293380 $mdash
US Government Select Money Market mdash 61310 mdash
Ordinary income includes taxable market discount income and short-term capital gains if any
As of March 31 2020 no Fund had uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition or disclosure The Fundsrsquo federal tax returns remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for three years after they are filed Interest or penalties incurred if any on future unknown uncertain tax positions taken by the Funds will be recorded as interest expense and other expenses respectively on the Statements of Operations
3 S E RV I C E P L A N
The Trust has adopted a Service Plan pursuant to which the Trust may enter into agreements with Northern Trust its affiliates or other institutions (together ldquoService Organizationsrdquo) under which the Service Organizations agree to provide certain administrative support services and in some cases personal and account maintenance services for their customers who are beneficial owners of shares of the Funds As compensation for services provided pursuant to the Service Plan the Service Organizations receive a fee at an annual rate of up to 015 percent of the average daily net assets of the Funds beneficially owned by their customers There were no shareholder servicing fees paid by the Funds to Northern Trust or its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
Service Plan expenses if any are included in the Statements of Operations under Shareholder servicing fees for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
4 BA N K B O R ROW I N G S
The Trust and Northern Institutional Funds a registered investment company also advised by NTI jointly entered into a $250000000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility on November 19 2018 which expired on November 18 2019 and was administered by Citibank NA for liquidity and other purposes (the ldquoCredit Facilityrdquo) The interest rate charged under the Credit Facility was equal to the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) if the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (ldquoLIBORrdquo) on the date of borrowing exceeded such Federal Funds Rate the amount by which it so exceeded plus (iii) 100 percent In addition there was an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears which is included in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 35 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
At a meeting held on November 13-14 2019 the Board approved an agreement to replace the Credit Facility (as replaced the ldquoNew Credit Facilityrdquo) The New Credit Facility is also in the amount of $250000000 and is also administered by Citibank NA The interest rate charged under the New Credit Facility is the same as it was for the Credit Facility In addition there is an annual commitment fee of 015 percent on the unused portion of the credit line under the New Credit Facility payable quarterly in arrears The New Credit Facility went into effect on November 18 2019 and will expire on November 16 2020 unless renewed
The Funds did not have any borrowings or incur any interest expense for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 There were no outstanding loan amounts at March 31 2020
5 M A N AG E M E N T A N D OT H E R AG R E E M E N T S
As compensation for advisory and administration services and the assumption of related expenses NTI is entitled to a management fee computed daily and payable monthly at annual rates set forth in the table below (expressed as a percentage of each Fundrsquos respective average daily net assets)
NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund (other than certain excepted expenses ie acquired fund fees and expenses the compensation paid to each independent Trustee of the Trust expenses of third-party consultants engaged by the Board membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility extraordinary expenses and interest) as shown on the accompanying Statements of Operations to the extent the total annual fund operating expenses of the Funds exceed the expense limitations set forth below The total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimshybursement for each Fund may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of certain excepted expenses that are not reimbursed The amount of the reimbursement is included in Less expenses reimbursed by investment adviser as a reduction to Total Expenses in the Statements of Operations
At March 31 2020 the annual management fees and contractual expense limitations for the Funds were based on the following annual rates as set forth in the table below
CONTRACTUAL
ANNUAL EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FEES LIMITATIONS
Money Market 033 035
Municipal Money Market 033 035
US Government Money Market 033 035
US Government Select Money Market 033 035
The contractual reimbursement arrangements described above are expected to continue until at least July 31 2020 with respect to the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund and US Government Money Market Fund and until at least January 22 2021 for the US Government Select Money Market Fund The contractual reimbursement arrangements will continue automatically for periods of one year (each such one-year period a ldquoRenewal Yearrdquo) The arrangement may be terminated as to any succeeding Renewal Year by NTI or a Fund upon 60 daysrsquo written notice prior to the end of the current Renewal Year The Board may terminate the contractual arrangements at any time with respect to a Fund if it determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders
NTI may reimburse additional expenses or waive all or a portion of the management fees of a Fund from time to time including to avoid a negative yield Any such additional expense reimshybursement or waiver would be voluntary and could be implemented increased or decreased or discontinued at any time There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield Any such reimbursement or waiver is paid monthly to the Funds by NTI There were no voluntary reimbursements during the year ended March 31 2020
In addition NTI has contractually agreed to reimburse certain additional expenses that may be excepted expenses
As compensation for services rendered as transfer agent including the assumption by Northern Trust of the expenses related thereto Northern Trust receives a fee computed daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0019 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund Prior to August 1 2019 the transfer agent annual rate was 0015 percent of the average daily net assets of each Fund
NTI has entered into a sub-administration agreement with Northern Trust pursuant to which Northern Trust performs certain administrative services for the Funds NTI pays Northern Trust for its sub-administration services out of NTIrsquos management fees
For compensation as custodian Northern Trust receives an amount based on a pre-determined schedule of charges approved by the Board The Funds have entered into an expense offset arrangement with the custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fundsrsquo custodian expenses unless such uninvested cash balances receive a separate type of return Custodian credits are shown as Less custodian credits in the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations
Northern Funds Distributors LLC the distributor for the Funds received no compensation from the Funds under its distribution agreement However it received compensation from NTI for its services as distributor pursuant to a separate letter agreement between it and NTI
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 36 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of Northern Trust and NTI All officers serve without compensation from the Funds The Trust provided a deferred compensation plan for its Trustees who are not officers of Northern Trust or NTI Prior to August 22 2013 under the deferred compensation plan Trustees may have elected to defer all or a portion of their compensation Effective August 22 2013 the Trustees may no longer defer their compensation Any amounts deferred and invested under the plan shall remain invested pursuant to the terms of the plan Each Trusteersquos account shall be deemed to be invested in shares of the US Government Portfolio of Northern Institutional Funds andor the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund of the Trust andor at the discretion of the Trust a money market fund selected by the Trust that complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or one or more short-term fixed income instruments selected by the Trust that are ldquoeligible securitiesrdquo as defined by that rule The net investment income gains and losses achieved by such deemed investment shall be credited to the Trusteersquos account as provided in the plan
6 R E L AT E D PA R T Y T R A N SAC T I O N S
The Funds are permitted to purchase and sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers) common trustees andor common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act Further as defined under these procedures each transaction is effected at the current market price as defined in the Rule 17a-7 Procedures For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the following Fund engaged in purchases andor sales of securities from an affiliated entity
Amount in thousands PURCHASES SALES
Money Market $ 14500 $ shy
Municipal Money Market 214185 (290165)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the realized gain (loss) associated with these transactions was zero
Certain uninvested cash balances of the Funds may receive a return from Northern Trust based on a market return it receives less an administrative fee These amounts (if any) are shown on the Fundsrsquo Statements of Operations as Income from affiliates
On March 30 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund purchased asset-backed commercial paper with an aggregate value of $30192000 from an unaffiliated asset-backed commercial
MARCH 31 2020
paper program The purchase of this commercial paper was concurrent with separate transactions of other NTI client accounts that sold money market instruments to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that then conveyed those instruments to the issuer of the asset-backed commercial paper The Money Market Fund sold the asset-backed commercial paper immediately after purchasing it and did not realize any gain or loss on the sale See Note 7 - US Federal Reserve Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility
7 U S F E D E R A L R E S E RV E rsquo S M O N E Y M A R K E T M U T UA L F U N D L I Q U I D I T Y FAC I L I T Y
The US Federal Reserve established the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (ldquoMMLFrdquo) on March 18 2020 to broaden its program of support for the flow of credit to households and businesses Under the MMLF loans are made available to eligible financial institutions secured by high-quality assets purchased by the financial institution from eligible money market mutual funds On March 30 2020 and March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund sold securities with an aggregate value of $30192000 to a financial institution in connection with the MMLF These securities were sold at purchased cost and the Money Market Fund incurred no realized gain or loss
8 I N V E S T M E N T T R A N SAC T I O N S
At March 31 2020 for federal income tax purposes gross unrealized appreciation gross unrealized depreciation net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and the cost basis of investments were as follows
NET COST Amounts in UNREALIZED UNREALIZED APPRECIATION BASIS OF thousands APPRECIATION DEPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) INVESTMENTS
Money Market $mdash $mdash $mdash $ 444394
Municipal Money Market mdash mdash mdash 206113
US Government Money Market mdash mdash mdash 16851970
US Government Select Money Market mdash mdash mdash 3658026
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 37 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N OT E S TO T H E F I N A N C I A L S TAT E M E N T S c o n t i n u e d
9 C A P I TA L S H A R E T R A N SAC T I O N S
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 601472 $ 4789 $ (769632) $ (163371)
Municipal Money Market 367400 547 (621013) (253066)
US Government Money Market 72000916 62199 (74689868) (2626753)
US Government Select Money Market 13725962 12145 (13926824) (188717)
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
Transactions in capital shares for the fiscal year ended March 31 2019 were as follows
NET PROCEEDS REINVESTMENTS PAYMENTS INCREASE
FROM OF FOR SHARES (DECREASE) Amounts in thousands SHARES SOLD DIVIDENDS REDEEMED IN NET ASSETS
Money Market $ 860828 $ 4128 $ (592605) $ 272351
Municipal Money Market 911071 1115 (1320954) (408768)
US Government Money Market 70558619 90431 (67431537) 3217513
US Government Select Money Market 15897291 21298 (15905477) 13112
The number of shares sold reinvested and redeemed approximates the dollar amount of transactions
10 I N D E M N I F I C AT I O N S A N D WA R R A N T I E S
In the ordinary course of their business the Funds may enter into contracts or agreements that contain indemnifications or warranties Future events could occur that lead to the execution of these provisions against the Funds The maximum exposure to the Funds under these provisions is unknown as this would involve future claims that have not yet occurred However the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote
11 N E W AC C O U N T I N G P RO N O U N C E M E N T S
On March 30 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08 ldquoPremium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securitiesrdquo (the ldquoASUrdquo) which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at premium shortening such period to the earliest call date The new guidance requires an entity to amortize the premium on a callable debt security within its scope to the earliest call date unless the guidance for considering estimated prepayments as described above is applied If the call option is not exercised at the earliest call date the yield is reset to the effective yield using the payment terms of the security If the security has more than one call date and the premium was amortized to a call price greater than the next call price any excess of the amortized cost basis over the amount repayable at the next call date will be amortized to that date If there are no other call dates any excess of the amortized cost basis over the par amount will be amortized to
maturity Discounts on purchased callable debt securities will continue to be amortized to the securityrsquos maturity date The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15 2018 For all other entities the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15 2020 Earlier application is permitted for all entities including adoption in an interim period If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period The Funds have adopted the ASU The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the financial statements
12 L I B O R T R A N S I T I O N
Certain of the Fundsrsquo investments payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates such as LIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each a ldquoReference Raterdquo) On July 27 2017 the Chief Executive of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (ldquoFCArdquo) which regulates LIBOR announced that the FCA will no longer persuade nor compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates after 2021 Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021 The transition away from Reference Rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to such
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 38 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
MARCH 31 2020
Reference Rates and reduced values of Reference Rate-related instruments This announcement and any additional regulatory or market changes that occur as a result of the transition away from Reference Rates may have an adverse impact on a Fundrsquos investments performance or financial condition
13 C O RO N AV I RU S ( C OV I D - 19 ) PA N D E M I C
A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 and has spread internationally The outbreak and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in closing borders and quarantines restricting international and domestic travel enhanced health screenings cancelations disrupted supply chains and customer activity responses by businesses (including changes to operations and reducing staff) and have produced general concern and uncertainty The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could adversely affect national and global economies individual companies and the market in general in a manner and for a period of time that cannot be foreseen at the present time and may adversely affect the value volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities In the event of a pandemic or an outbreak there can be no assurance that the Funds and their service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Fundsrsquo service providers to perform essential services Certain economic and market conditions arising out of a pandemic or outbreak could result in a Fundrsquos inability to achieve its investment objectives cause the postponement of reconstitution or rebalance dates for benchmark indices adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests negatively impact a Fundrsquos performance and cause losses on your investment in a Fund Management is monitoring the development of the pandemic which was ongoing as of the date of the financial statements and is evaluating its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Funds
14 S U B S E Q U E N T E V E N T S
Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 39 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
R E P O R T O F I N D E P E N D E N T R E G I S T E R E D P U B L I C AC C O U N T I N G F I R M
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Northern Funds
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of four separate portfolios of Northern Funds comprising the Money Market Fund Municipal Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and US Government Select Money Market Fund (collectively the ldquoFundsrdquo) including the schedules of investments as of March 31 2020 the related statements of operations for the year then ended the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each of the four portfolios constituting the Northern Funds as of March 31 2020 and the results of their operations for the year then ended the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fundsrsquo management Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fundsrsquo financial statements and financial highlights 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 Funds in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud The Funds are not required to have nor were we engaged to perform an audit of their internal control over financial reporting As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fundsrsquo internal control over financial reporting Accordingly we express no such opinion
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights 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 and financial highlights Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31 2020 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 DELOITTE amp TOUCHE LLP
Chicago Illinois May 22 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more Northern Trust investment companies since 2002
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 40 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
TA X A N D D I S T R I B U T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
During the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the percentage of dividends derived from net investment income paid by the following Fund as ldquoexempt-interest dividendsrdquo excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes was as follows Municipal Money Market 100
The American Jobs Creation Act (Sec 871(k)) allows a regulated investment company to designate interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains that are exempt from US withholding taxes for foreign investors not considered a US person as Qualified Interest Income (QII) for tax years after December 31 2004 The following funds designated QII for the fiscal year ended March 31 2020 the Money Market Fund US Government Money Market Fund and the US Government Select Money Market Fund
The Funds designate the maximum amount required to be distributed as long-term capital gain under Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(2)(3)
1 D I S T R I B U T I O N C O N S I D E R AT I O N S ( A L L F U N D S )
DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION Maturity Distribution is measured on a trade date basis and excludes uninvested cash from the market value used to compute the percentage calculations
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION The data is measured using the lower of the stated maturity date or next interest rate reset date
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 41 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F U N D E X P E N S E S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
As a shareholder of the Funds you incur ongoing costs including management fees and other fund expenses This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds
The Example is based on an investment of $1000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period October 1 2019 through March 31 2020
AC T UA L E X P E N S E S
The first line of the tables below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses You may use the information in this line together with the amount you invested to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period Simply divide your account value by $1000 (for example an $8600 account value divided by $1000 = 86) then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled Expenses Paid 1012019 - 3312020 to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period
H Y P OT H E T I C A L E X A M P L E F O R C O M PA R I S O N P U R P O S E S
The second line in the tables below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fundsrsquo actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5 percent per year before expenses which is not the Fundsrsquo actual return The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other funds To do so compare this 5 percent hypothetical example with the 5 percent hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds
Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs such as sales charges (loads) redemption fees or exchange fees but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs Therefore the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds
M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 034 $100000 $ 100760 $171
Hypothetical 034 $100000 $102330 $172
M U N I C I PA L M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100530 $175
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
U S G OV E R N M E N T S E L E C T M O N E Y M A R K E T
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID
EXPENSE VALUE VALUE 1012019shySHARES RATIO 1012019 3312020 3312020
Actual 035 $100000 $100660 $176
Hypothetical 035 $100000 $102325 $177
Expenses are calculated using the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratios which represent ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the six months ended March 31 2020 Expenses are equal to the Fundsrsquo annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by 183366 (to reflect the one-half year period)
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 42 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
Set forth below is information about the Trustees and Officers of Northern Funds Each Trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was originally elected or appointed to the Board of Trustees Each Trustee oversees a total of 50 portfolios in the Northern Funds ComplexmdashNorthern Funds offers 43 portfolios and Northern Institutional Funds consists of 7 portfolios The Northern Fundsrsquo Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available upon request and without charge by calling 800-595-9111
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Therese M Bobek Age 59 Trustee since 2019
bull Adjunct Lecturer in the Masters of Accountancy Program University of Iowa Tippie College of Business since 2018
bull Retired Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1997 to 2018
bull Methode Electronics Inc
Ingrid LaMae A de Jongh Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Head of School Management and Technology Success Academy Charter Schools since 2016
bull Member of the Board of Directors of Bank Leumi USA since 2016
bull None
bull Partner in Accenture (global management consulting and professional services firm) from 1987 to 2012
bull Member of the Board of Directors Member of Nominating and Governance and Compensating Committees of Carver Bancorp from 2014 to 2018
Mark G Doll bull Member of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board since 2015 bull None Age 70 Trustee since 2013
bull Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2012
bull Senior Vice PresidentmdashPublic Markets Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2002 to 2008
bull President Northwestern Mutual Series Fund Mason Street Advisors and Mason Street Funds from 2002 to 2008
bull Chairman Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council from 2005 to 2015 bull Member of Investment Committee of Greater Milwaukee Foundation from
2003 to 2015
Thomas A Kloet Age 61 Trustee since 2015 and Chairperson since January 1 2020
bull Chair of Boards of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC NASDAQ PHLX LLC and NASDAQ BX Inc since 2016
bull Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer TMX Group Ltd (financial services company and operator of stock derivatives exchanges their clearing operations and securities depository) from 2008 to 2014
bull Nasdaq Inc
David R Martin Age 63 Trustee since 2017
bull Chief Financial Officer Neo Tech (an electronics manufacturer) since June 2019 bull Adjunct professor University of Texas McCombs School of Business since 2017 bull Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Dimensional Fund
bull None
Advisors LP (an investment manager) from 2007 to 2016
bull Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Capital Group Inc (an investment manager) from 2005 to 2007
bull Senior Vice President Finance of Charles Schwab amp Co Inc (an investment banking and securities brokerage firm) from 1999 to 2005
Cynthia R Ploucheacute Age 63
bull Assessor Moraine Township Illinois from January 2014 to June 2018 bull Trustee of AXA Premier VIP Trust (registered investment companymdash34
Trustee since 2014 portfolios) from 2001 to May 2017 bull Senior Portfolio Manager and member of Investment Policy Committee
Williams Capital Management LLC from 2006 to 2012
bull Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Blaylock-Abacus Asset Management Inc from June 2003 to 2006
bull Founder Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Abacus Financial Group from 1991 to 2003 (a manager of fixed income portfolios for institutional clients)
bull Barings Funds Trust (registered investment companymdash8 portfolios) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (closed-end investment company advised by Barings LLC)
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 43 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
N O N - I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E S
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Mary Jacobs Skinner Esq bull Executive Committee member and Chair Public Policy Committee Ann amp bull None Age 62 Robert H Lurie Childrenrsquos Hospital since 2016 Trustee since 1998 bull Director Pathways Awareness Foundation since 2000
bull Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellowmdash2016 bull Retired in 2015 as partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP bull Director Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services from 1995 to 2013
I N T E R E S T E D T RU S T E E
NAME AGE ADDRESS(1) POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE AS TRUSTEE(2) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE(3)
Darek Wojnar(4)
Age 54 Trustee since 2019
bull Director and Executive Vice President Head of Funds and Managed Accounts Group at Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2018
bull Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Hartford Funds from 2014 to 2017 bull Managing Director at Lattice Strategies LLC from 2014 to 2016 acquired by
Hartford Funds in 2016
bull FlexShares Trust (registered investment companymdash29 portfolios)
bull Managing Director Head of US iShares Product at BlackRock from 2005 to 2013 including Barclay Global Investors acquired by BlackRock in 2009
bull Managing Member Wojnar Group LLC which offers consulting services within the publishing industry since 2013
(1) Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee co Diana E McCarthy Faegre Drinker Biddle amp Reath LLP One Logan Square Suite 2000 Philadelphia PA 19103-6996
(2) Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders if any called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his or her successor if any elected at such meeting (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders in accordance with the Trustrsquos Agreement and Declaration of Trust or (iii) in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees (which may be changed without shareholder vote) on the earlier of the completion of 15 years of service on the Board and the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of seventy-five years The 15-year service limit does not apply to the service of Trustees of the Trust who began serving on the Board prior to July 1 2016
(3) This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (ie public companies) or other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act)
(4) An ldquointerested personrdquo as defined by the 1940 Act Mr Wojnar is an ldquointerestedrdquo Trustee because he is an officer director employee and a shareholder of Northern Trust Corporation andor its affiliates
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Peter K Ewing Director of Product Management ETFs and Mutual Funds Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of Age 61 Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2017 Director of ETF Product Management Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Investments from 2010 to 2017 Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Investments Inc since Inc 2010 President of FlexShares Trust since 2017 Vice President of FlexShares Trust from 2011 to 2017 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 President since 2017
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 44 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Kevin P OrsquoRourke Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2014 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 48 Inc from 2009 to 2014 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since 2015
Jack P Huntington Fund Chief Compliance Officer Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC (since 2015) Senior Vice President of Regulatory Age 49 Administration Citi Fund Services Ohio Inc (2008 to 2015) Foreside Fund Officer Services LLC 10 High Street Suite 302 Boston Massachusetts 02110 Acting Chief Compliance Officer since September 2019
Darlene Chappell Age 57 Northern Trust Investments Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2009
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for Northern Trust Investments Inc Northern Trust Securities Inc and Alpha Core Strategies Fund since 2009 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 FlexShares Trust since 2011 and Belvedere Advisors LLC since September 2019 Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer for Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2019 Vice President and Compliance Consultant for The Northern Trust Company since 2006 Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for The Northern Trust Company of Connecticut from 2009 to 2013 and Northern Trust Global Advisors Inc from 2009 to 2011
Randal E Rein Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2010 Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of Age 49 FlexShares Trust since 2011 Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund from 2008 to 2018 Treasurer of Equity Northern Trust Investments LongShort Opportunities Fund from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Treasurer since 2008
Michael J Pryszcz Senior Vice President of Fund Accounting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 52 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
Richard N Crabill Senior Vice President of Fund Administration of The Northern Trust Company since 2011 Vice President of Fund Age 51 Administration of The Northern Trust Company from 2005 to 2011 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2008
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 45 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
O F F I C E R S O F T H E T RU S T
T RU S T E E S A N D O F F I C E R S c o n t i n u e d MARCH 31 2020 (UNAUDITED)
NAME AGE ADDRESS POSITIONS HELD WITH TRUST AND LENGTH OF SERVICE(1) PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
Michael G Meehan Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Age 49 Inc from 2011 to 2016 Assistant Treasurer of Alpha Core Strategies Fund and Equity LongShort Opportunities Fund Northern Trust Investments from 2011 to 2018 Inc 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2011
John P Gennovario Vice President of Northern Trust Investments Inc since August 2019 Management Consultant Principal Funds from Age 59 September 2018 to April 2019 Financial Reporting Manager Consultant BNY Mellon from December 2016 to June Northern Trust Investments 2018 Vice President Fund Accounting Unit Manager US Bancorp Fund Services and Accounting Manager State Inc Street Global Services from January 2016 to August 2016 Assistant Treasurer Forward Management LLC from July 50 South LaSalle Street 2010 to March 2013 Chicago Illinois 60603 Vice President since August 2019
Gregory A Chidsey Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting of The Northern Trust Company since 2010 Age 50 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Treasurer since 2013
Craig R Carberry Esq Age 59 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Chief Legal Officer since August 2019
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since May 2000 Chief Compliance Officer of Northern Trust Investments Inc from October 2015 to June 2017 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Belvedere Advisers LLC since September 2019 Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of 50 South Capital Advisors LLC since 2015 Associate General Counsel and Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company since June 2015 Assistant
General Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from July 2014 to June 2015 Senior Legal Counsel and US Funds General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company from 2000-2014 Secretary of Alpha Core Strategies Fund (formerly NT Alpha Strategies Fund) since 2004 Secretary of Equity LongShort Opportunities
Fund (formerly NT Equity LongShort Strategies Fund) from 2011 to 2019 Secretary of Northern Institutional Funds and Northern Funds from 2010-2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2011-2018
Jose J Del Real Esq Age 42 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Secretary since 2018
Senior Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2017 Senior Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2015 to 2017 Assistant Secretary of Northern Trust Investments Inc since 2016 Legal Counsel and Vice President of The Northern Trust Company from 2014 to 2015 Assistant
Secretary of Northern Funds and Northern Institutional Funds from 2011 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2018 Assistant Secretary of FlexShares Trust from 2015 to 2018 Secretary of FlexShares Trust since 2018
Angela R Burke Esq Vice President of The Northern Trust Company since 2016 Attorney of Jackson National Asset Management LLC and Age 37 Assistant Secretary of Jackson Variable Series Trust from 2013 to 2015 The Northern Trust Company 50 South LaSalle Street Chicago Illinois 60603 Assistant Secretary since 2018
(1) Each Officer serves until his or her resignation removal retirement or election of his or her successor Each officer also holds the same office with Northern Institutional Funds
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 46 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
I N V E S T M E N T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
MONEY MARKET FUND12345678 US GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND123457 US GOVERNMENT SELECT MONEY MARKET FUND1236
1 Interest Rate Risk During periods of rising interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be lower than prevailing market rates in periods of falling interest rates the Fundrsquos yield (and the market value of its securities) will tend to be higher Securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates causing them to be more volatile than securities with shorter maturities Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and on the Fundrsquos investments Recent and any future declines in interest rate levels could cause the Fundrsquos earnings to fall below the Fundrsquos expense ratio resulting in a negative yield and a decline in the Fundrsquos share price
2 Money Market Risk You could lose money by investing in the Fund An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank The Fundrsquos sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time
3 Stable NAV Risk The Fund may be unable to maintain a NAV per share price of $100 at all times A significant enough market disruption or drop in market prices of securities held by the Fund especially at a time when the Fund needs to sell securities to meet shareholder redemption requests could cause the value of the Fundrsquos shares to decrease to a price less than $100 per share
4 Municipal Market Volatility Risk The municipal market can be significantly affected by adverse tax legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities
5 Tax Risk Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may materially affect the value of municipal instruments or the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt dividends
6 US Government Securities Risk There is a risk that the US government will not provide financial support to its agencies instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law Certain US government securities purchased by the Fund may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States It is possible that the issuers of such securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future
7 Liquidity Fee and Redemption Gate Risk The Fund may impose a ldquoliquidity feerdquo (up to 2 percent) or a ldquoredemption gaterdquo that temporarily restricts a shareholderrsquos ability to sell shares for up to 10 business days if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors
8 Financial Services Industry Risk The Fund will invest under normal market conditions at least 25 of its total assets in the financial services industry As a result the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss by economic business political or other developments which generally affect this industry Changes in government regulation and interest rates and economic downturns can have a significant negative effect on issuers in the financial services sector including the price of their securities or their ability to meet their payment obligations
NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT 47 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
M O N E Y M A R K E T F U N D S
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
P O R T F O L I O H O L D I N G S
Northern Funds files detailed month-end portfolio holdings information on Form N-MFP with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (ldquoSECrdquo) each month and posts a complete schedule of portfolio holdings on its website (northerntrustcom) as of each month-end for the previous six months The Fundsrsquo Forms N-MFP are available electronically on the SECrsquos website (secgov)
P ROX Y VOT I N G
Northern Fundsrsquo Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and each Fundrsquos portfolio securities voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request and without charge by visiting Northern Fundsrsquo web site at northerntrustcomfunds or the SECrsquos web site at wwwsecgov or by calling the Northern Funds Center at 800-595-9111
MONEY MARKET FUNDS 48 NORTHERN FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
When building a sound Northern Funds investment strategy yoursquoll want to select a mix of equity fixed income and money market funds that have return potential and an acceptable level of risk Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus and consider the investment objectives risks charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing Visit northerntrustcomfunds or call 800-595-9111 to obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other information about the funds
P ROT E C T I N G YO U R P R I VAC Y Protecting your privacy is important at Northern Funds which is why we wanted you to know
We do not sell non-public personal information about our investors or former investors to any outside company
We have policies that limit access to your information to only those people who need it to perform their jobs and provide services to you and we have physical electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information
We collect information about you from applications forms conversations and your use of our Web site third parties with your permission and your transactions with us our affiliates and our joint marketing partners
We do not disclose the information we collect about our investors or former investors to anyone except to companies that perform services for us affiliates with whom we have joint marketing agreements such as Northern Trust (1) for our everyday purposes such as to process transactions maintain accounts respond to court orders and legal investigations or report to credit bureaus or (2) as permitted by law
The information includes account balances and account history You may limit our use or sharing of information about you with our affiliates and joint marketing partners for marketing purposes by calling 800-595-9111 weekdays from 700 am to 500 pm Central time or by writing to us at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago IL 60675-5986
If our information sharing practices change we will send you a revised notice You can also visit our Web site northerntrustcomfunds for an online version of our current privacy notice
S H A R E H O L D E R CO M M U N I C AT I O N S In order to help reduce expenses and reduce the amount of mail that you receive we generally send a single copy of all materials including prospectuses financial reports proxy statements and information statements to all investors who share the same mailing address even if more than one person in a household holds shares of a fund
If you do not want your mailings combined with those of other members of your household you may opt-out at any time by contacting the Northern Funds Center either by telephone at 800-595-9111 by mail at Northern Funds PO Box 75986 Chicago Illinois 60675-5986 or by sending an e-mail to northern-fundsntrscom
Not part of the Annual Report
N O R T H E R N
FA M I LY O F F U N D S R I S K R E WA R D P OT E N T I A L
HIGHER RISK
REWARD
LOWER RISK
REWARD
GR
OW
THIN
CO
ME
LIQ
UID
ITY
EQUIT Y FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES amp SECTOR FUNDS Active M Emerging Markets Equity Emerging Markets Equity Index Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Global Real Estate Index Multi-Manager Global Listed Infrastructure International Equity Active M International Equity International Equity Index Northern Engage360TM
Global Sustainability Index
SMALL- amp MEDIUM-CAP EQUITY FUNDS Small Cap Value Small Cap Core Small Cap Index Mid Cap Index
INCOME amp LARGE-CAP EQUITY FUNDS US Quality ESG Large Cap Value Large Cap Core Stock Index Income Equity
ASSET ALLOCATION FUND Global Tactical Asset Allocation
F IXE D INCOME FUNDS
LONGER-TERM amp HIGH YIELD BOND FUNDS Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Debt Opportunity Multi-Manager High Yield Opportunity High Yield Fixed Income High Yield Municipal California Tax-Exempt Arizona Tax-Exempt Tax-Exempt US Treasury Index
SHORT amp INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS Fixed Income Bond Index Core Bond California Intermediate Tax-Exempt Intermediate Tax-Exempt Short-Intermediate Tax-Exempt US Government Short Bond Short-Intermediate US Government Ultra-Short Fixed Income Tax-Advantaged Ultra-Short Fixed Income
MONE Y M ARKET FUNDS
MONEY MARKET FUNDS Municipal Money Market Money Market US Government Select Money Market US Government Money Market
You could lose money by investing in the Money Market Funds Although each of the Money Market Funds seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $100 per share it cannot guarantee it will do so The Fundsrsquo sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Funds and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Funds at any time The Money Market Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund may impose a fee upon the sale of your shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the Fundrsquos liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors You could lose money by investing in the Funds An investment in a Fund involves investment risks including possible loss of principal An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (ldquoFDICrdquo) any other government agency or The Northern Trust Company its affiliates subsidiaries or any other bank
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)
e
SIGN UP FOR E-DELIVERY To get future shareholder reports online and to eliminate mailings go to northerntrustcome-delivery
copy2020 Northern Funds
MM
AN
R (5
20)