BlackRock recently reported that $157 billion of institutional assets invested in indexed mutual funds have elected to vote proxies since its Voting Choice program launched earlier this year-almost ...10 percent of eligible institutional assets.2 Individuals in "Pooled" Accounts Will Soon Have the Option to Vote The other significant new development is that BlackRock, Vanguard and other asset managers have indicated that these voting options will soon be available to retail investors-individuals invested in mutual funds via their retirement or other savings plans. If this form of shareholder democracy gains additional traction among asset manager clients, proxy advisory firms could gain greater influence over voting outcomes at company shareholder meetings. 3: Martha Carter is Vice Chairman and Head of Governance Advisor, Matt Filosa is Senior Managing Director, and Sydney Carlock and Sean Quinn are Managing Directors, of Teneo. Because institutions with separate accounts directly own the shares of the companies invested in the fund, this is technically not "pass through" voting. 2. https:llwww. blackrock.comlcorporatelliteraturelpublicationlvoting-choice-factsheet.pdf.
