RiskMetrics Group Releases 2010 Canadian Proxy Voting Policies

Investors Focus on Shareholder Rights Plans, Executive Compensation and Director Independence for the 2010 Proxy Season

Toronto, Canada (November 20, 2009) - RiskMetrics Group (NYSE: RMG), a leading provider of risk management and corporate governance services to the global financial community, today released its 2010 updates to its benchmark proxy voting guidelines. These global updates are developed as part of an extensive process that includes broad-based outreach to financial market participants. RiskMetrics' governance analysts will begin applying the updated policies to all companies with shareholder meeting dates on or after February 1, 2010.

"RiskMetrics' uniquely transparent policy formulation process lays the groundwork for the broad range of proxy voting policies employed by our clients,” said Stephen Harvey, Head of RiskMetrics' Governance Business. "Investors are faced with ever more complex voting issues and we are pleased to provide them with expert guidance on critical issues plus unbiased analysis of thousands of company meetings."

Canadian investors continue to place strong emphasis on slate ballots and executive compensation given their ongoing frustration with the financial climate. Specifically, investors want issuers to demonstrate good stewardship of their interests regarding executive compensation. As a result, RiskMetrics' 2010 Canadian updates concentrate on slate ballots and management say-on-pay proposals.

For the past two years, institutional investors have indicated that slate ballots are not justifiable. Currently, RiskMetrics only issues cautionary language in its analyses for all issuers with slate elections urging them to elect directors individually. However, given investor sentiment, RiskMetrics' will recommend withhold on directors with slate ballots who have additional governance or compensation concerns.

"Slate ballots only serve as a barrier between shareholders and directors and are an impediment to meaningful director elections by majority vote," said Toronto-based Debra Sisti, Head of Canadian Governance Research at RiskMetrics Group. "We hope by implementing this policy that directors' and shareholders' interests can be better aligned enabling more meaningful dialogue."

Regarding executive compensation, RiskMetrics' 2010 Policy Survey indicated 59 percent of investors believe pay-for-performance was a critical factor in evaluating management say-on-pay proposals. As a result, RiskMetrics will adopt a formal policy to ensure Canadian investors have a consistent framework for evaluating management say-on-pay proposals.

Globally, other policy updates focus on issues such as poison pills and director independence in the U.S., combined Chairman and CEO roles in Europe, and board independence in Japan and Israel. The entire 2010 global policy updates are accessible through RiskMetrics' online Policy Gateway at www.riskmetrics.com/policy. The Gateway also contains helpful FAQs, summaries of outreach efforts, and other informational resources to provide all market participants with a better understanding of how RiskMetrics formulates and applies its updates.

Also, on December 10 at 1 p.m. EST, RiskMetrics will host a webcast to review its North American 2010 updates. To register for the webcast, please visit: www.riskmetrics.com/webcasts/2010policy_perspectives.

About RiskMetrics Group

RiskMetrics Group is a leading provider of risk management and corporate governance products and services to participants in the global financial markets. By bringing transparency, expertise and access to the financial markets, RiskMetrics Group helps investors better understand and manage the risks associated with their financial holdings. Our solutions address a broad spectrum of risk across our clients' financial assets. Headquartered in New York with 20 global offices, RiskMetrics Group services some of the most prestigious institutions and corporations worldwide. For more information, please visit, www.riskmetrics.com.

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Sarah Ball
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