Barclays Global Investors Remains No. 1 Worldwide Index Manager.

Business Editors

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 29, 2001

According to a Pensions & Investments' biannual survey of leading index fund managers, the creator of the first index strategy, Barclays Global Investors (BGI), continues to be the no. 1 index manager with nearly $782 billion(a) in assets worldwide(1). BGI's index assets total more than the combined assets of the second, third and fourth largest index managers. BGI is also the leading manager of U.S. institutional tax-exempt passive and enhanced index assets with a total of $447.6 billion(a), according to the survey.

This year is the 30th anniversary of the first index strategy that was created by BGI (in 1971, known as Wells Fargo Investment Advisors). Since that time, BGI has been an innovator in investment management. Most recently BGI began offering exchange-traded funds (ETFs), named iShares. iShares are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on a national securities exchange. Today there are 61 iShares in the U.S. and a total of 77 globally, making the company the global product leader in the ETF market.

BGI is the world's largest institutional investment manager(2), and the world's largest provider of structured investment strategies such as indexing, tactical asset allocation, and quantitative active strategies(3). BGI managed more than $800 billion in assets as of 12/31/00, and over 1,500 funds, which track over 200 global indexes, for nearly 2,000 clients in 37 countries around the world. As the creator of the first index strategy 30 years ago, BGI is an innovator in investment management, applying science and technology to the investment process. BGI has over 2,000 employees worldwide and is owned by Barclays PLC, one of the UK's largest companies, and one of the world's leading global financial services providers, with operations in over 60 countries worldwide.

iShares are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. Barclays Global Fund Advisors serves as an advisor to iShares and is a subsidiary of Barclays Global Investors, N.A., neither of which are affiliated with SEI Investments Distribution Co. For a prospectus, call your financial advisor or 1-800-iSHARES (800/474-2737). There are risks involved with investing, including possible loss of principal.

iShares are not FDIC Insured. Have No Bank Value. May Lose Value.

(a) As of Nov. 30, 2000.
(1) Source: "Special Report: Indexing and ETFs," Pensions &
    Investments, March 5, 2001.
(2) Source: "Special Report: Largest Managers," Pensions &
    Investments, May 1, 2000.
(3) Source: "Money Manager's Survey," Pensions & Investments,
    Sept. 4, 2000.