John Hancock Funds Seek Shareholder Vote for Five Trustee Elections

TL;DR

**Vote FOR the trustee elections; it's a routine governance move that strengthens shareholder representation without altering fund strategy.**

AI Summary

This DEF 14A filing from JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT TRUST II, filed on September 15, 2025, outlines a proposal for shareholders to elect five trustees to the Board of Trustees. The special joint meeting of shareholders is scheduled for November 12, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. Eastern time, at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts. The proposal is considered a routine item and is not expected to materially affect the funds' investment objectives or management. Three current trustees, Kristie M. Feinberg, William K. Bacic, and Thomas R. Wright, who were previously appointed, are being presented for shareholder election. Additionally, two new independent trustees, Christine L. Hurtsellers and Kenneth J. Phelan, are nominated for election. If all five nominees are elected, the Board will expand to fourteen trustees, comprising two non-independent and twelve independent trustees, all of whom will have been elected by shareholders. This election aims to ensure all trustees are shareholder-elected, allowing the Board to fill future vacancies without immediate shareholder votes unless the number of elected trustees falls below two-thirds of the total. The Board unanimously recommends shareholders vote FOR the proposal.

Why It Matters

This trustee election is crucial for investors as it solidifies the governance structure of JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT TRUST II and its associated trusts, ensuring all board members are shareholder-elected. While deemed a 'routine item,' the expansion of the board to fourteen trustees, with a strong independent majority (twelve out of fourteen), could enhance oversight and accountability, potentially impacting long-term fund performance and investor confidence. For employees and customers, a stable and well-governed board provides strategic direction and stability. In a competitive market, strong governance can differentiate John Hancock from rivals by demonstrating commitment to shareholder representation.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: low — The filing explicitly states the proposal is a 'routine item' and 'is not expected to have any material effect on the manner in which any fund is managed or on its current investment objective.' The Board unanimously recommends approval, indicating a consensus on this governance matter.

Analyst Insight

Investors should vote FOR the election of the five trustees as recommended by the Board. This action supports a stronger, shareholder-elected governance structure for the John Hancock Trusts without impacting current investment strategies.

Key Numbers

• 5 — Number of Trustees to be elected (Includes three current trustees and two new nominees)
• 14 — Total Trustees on Board if elected (Comprising two Non-Independent and twelve Independent Trustees)
• 12 — Number of Trusts involved (Collectively referred to as 'the Trusts')
• 95 — Number of investment portfolios (Funds) (Divided into series across the 12 Trusts)
• 2:00 P.M. — Meeting time (Eastern time on November 12, 2025)
• August 27, 2025 — Record Date (For determining shareholders eligible to vote)
• September 15, 2025 — Filing Date (Date the DEF 14A was filed)
• 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 — Meeting Location (Physical address for the special joint meeting)
• 800-225-5291 — Shareholder contact number (To obtain annual and semi-annual reports)
• 1 — Number of proposals (Shareholders are asked to vote on one proposal: Election of trustees)

Key Players & Entities

• JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT TRUST II (company) — Registrant and one of the Trusts involved in the proxy solicitation
• Kristie M. Feinberg (person) — President and CEO of Manulife John Hancock Investments, Head of Retail for Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, and a Non-Independent Trustee nominated for election
• William K. Bacic (person) — Independent Trustee appointed effective August 1, 2024, and nominated for election
• Thomas R. Wright (person) — Independent Trustee appointed effective August 1, 2024, and nominated for election
• Christine L. Hurtsellers (person) — New Independent Trustee nominee
• Kenneth J. Phelan (person) — New Independent Trustee nominee
• Manulife Financial Corporation (company) — Ultimate parent entity of John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC
• SEC (regulator) — Securities Exchange Act of 1934
• Christopher Sechler (person) — Secretary of the Trusts
• November 12, 2025 (date) — Date of the Special Joint Meeting of Shareholders

FAQ

Industry Context

The investment trust industry is characterized by a wide array of funds catering to diverse investor needs, from income generation to capital appreciation. Competition is intense, driven by performance, fees, and brand recognition. Regulatory oversight is a constant factor, influencing fund structure, disclosure requirements, and operational practices.

Regulatory Implications

This filing is a standard regulatory requirement under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, ensuring transparency and shareholder rights in corporate governance. The election process for trustees is subject to SEC rules and regulations, aiming to ensure independent oversight and accountability.

What Investors Should Do

1. Vote on the election of five trustees.
2. Vote promptly to avoid potential costs.

Key Dates

• 2025-11-12: Special Joint Meeting of Shareholders — Shareholders will vote on the election of five trustees.
• 2025-08-27: Record Date — Determines which shareholders are eligible to vote at the meeting.
• 2025-09-15: Filing Date of DEF 14A — Indicates when the proxy statement was officially filed with the SEC.

Glossary

DEF 14A

A filing required by the SEC for definitive proxy statements, providing detailed information to shareholders about matters to be voted on. (This document contains the proposal for the election of trustees and related information for shareholders.)

Board of Trustees

The governing body responsible for overseeing the operations and management of the investment trusts. (The election of five new trustees is the primary purpose of this shareholder meeting.)

Proxy Statement

A document that is required to be furnished to shareholders before a shareholder meeting, containing information about the matters to be voted on. (This document provides shareholders with the necessary details to make an informed decision on the election of trustees.)

Routine Item

A proposal at a shareholder meeting that does not involve fundamental changes to a fund's investment objectives, policies, or management contract. (The election of trustees is classified as a routine item, indicating no material changes to the funds' operations are expected.)

Year-Over-Year Comparison

This filing is a DEF 14A related to the election of trustees and does not contain financial performance metrics that would be directly comparable to a previous year's filing. The primary focus is on corporate governance and board composition rather than financial results.

Filing Documents

• d33106ddef14a.htm (DEF 14A) — 4461KB
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• 0001193125-25-203251.txt ( ) — 5104KB
• S000000634
• C000001809 (FIDAX)
• C000001811 (FIDCX)
• C000128459
• C000173131 (JFIFX)
• C000178763 (JFDRX)
• S000000635
• C000001813 (FRBAX)
• C000001815 (FRBCX)
• C000173132 (JRBFX)
• C000178764 (JRGRX)

Legal Proceedings

Legal Proceedings 31 Required Vote 31 Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 32 Shareholders and Voting Information 39 Other Matters 42 Appendix A - John Hancock Funds Procedures for the Selection of Independent Trustees A-1 Appendix B - Outstanding Shares and Share Ownership B-1 Exhibit A - Procedures for the Selection of New Independent Trustees C-1 1 Table of Contents JOHN HANCOCK BOND TRUST JOHN HANCOCK CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE INCOME FUND JOHN HANCOCK CAPITAL SERIES JOHN HANCOCK COLLATERAL TRUST JOHN HANCOCK CURRENT INTEREST JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS II JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS III JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT TRUST JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT TRUST II JOHN HANCOCK MUNICIPAL SECURITIES TRUST JOHN HANCOCK SOVEREIGN BOND FUND JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES (each, a "Trust" and collectively, the "Trusts") 200 Berkeley Street Boston, Massachusetts 02116 PROXY STATEMENT SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 12, 2025 Introduction This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Trustees (the "Board" or "Trustees") of each Trust of proxies to be used at a Special Joint Meeting of shareholders of the Trusts (the "Meeting") to be held on November 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM Easter n Tim e, at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116. Pursuant to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of each Trust (the "Declaration of Trust"), the Board has designated August 27, 2025 as the record date for determining shareholders eligible to vote at the Meeting (the "Record Date"). All shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to one vote for each share of beneficial interest of Funds held. This Proxy Statement is first being sent to shareholders on or about September 22, 2025. Each Trust is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). The shares of each of the

View Full Filing

View this DEF 14A filing on SEC EDGAR