BlackRock Announces Amalgamation of BAM

BlackRock, Inc.

today announced its decision to amalgamate BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, BlackRock's primary asset management subsidiary in Canada, and BlackRock Investments Canada Inc., which BlackRock acquired in March 2012, under the laws of the Province of Ontario on or about December 1, 2012. The amalgamated corporation will continue to be known as "BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited" and will be the trustee and manager of the entire Canadian family of iShares exchange-traded and closed-end funds.