Important Information Regarding U.S. Withholding Tax

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec. 30, 2015) - (TSX:XCR) (TSX:XGC) (TSX:XGR) (TSX:XIG) (TSX:XPF) - Seven Canadian iShares® Funds managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (the "Funds") invest in one or more U.S. Regulated Investment Companies ("RICs") that earn and distribute qualified interest-related dividends. On December 18, 2015, the U.S. President signed into law the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (the "PATH"). The PATH extends, on both a permanent and retroactive basis, favourable U.S. withholding tax treatment to foreign shareholders, including the Funds that receive RIC dividends comprised of short-term capital gains and/or qualified interest, so that those shareholders receive the same treatment with respect to such items as if they had invested directly in the RIC's underlying assets. As a result, the Funds will be receiving tax reclaims for a portion of withholding taxes previously paid in 2015. Also, going forward, it is expected that the changes introduced by the PATH should allow the Funds to obtain the benefits of the exemption from U.S. withholding tax on such RIC dividends through reduced withholding at source, rather than having to seek tax reclaims.

U.S. withholding tax reclaims

The Funds will record a tax reclaim receivable amount on December 30, 2015 which will result in an increase in the net asset value and net asset value per unit of the Funds.

iShares Funds Which Will Record a Tax Reclaim Receivable Amount

Fund Name	Ticker
iShares Conservative Core Portfolio Builder Fund	XCR
iShares Global Completion Portfolio Builder Fund	XGC
iShares Growth Core Portfolio Builder Fund	XGR
iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XIG
iShares S&P/TSX North American Preferred Stock Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	XPF

As a result of the retroactive and permanent changes made by the PATH, the Funds are now benefitting from the exemption from U.S. withholding tax on qualified interest-related dividends received from investments in RICs regardless of the fiscal year of such RICs in which those dividends were paid.

Further information on the iShares Funds can be found at www.blackrock.com/ca.

About BlackRock

BlackRock is a global leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients. At September 30, 2015, BlackRock's AUM was US $4.506 trillion. BlackRock helps clients around the world meet their goals and overcome challenges with a range of products that include separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares® (exchange-traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions®. As of September 30, 2015, the firm had approximately 12,900 employees in more than 30 countries and a major presence in key global markets, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East and Africa. For additional information, please visit the Company's website at www.blackrock.com/ca / Twitter: @BlackRockCA / Blog: www.blackrockblog.com/can

About iShares ETFs

iShares is a global leader in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with more than a decade of expertise and commitment to individual and institutional investors of all sizes. With over 700 funds globally across multiple asset classes and strategies and more than US $1 trillion in assets under management as of September 30, 2015, iShares helps clients around the world build the core of their portfolios, meet specific investment goals and implement market views. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock, trusted to manage more money than any other investment firm.^[1]

^[1]Based on US $4.506 trillion in AUM as of 9/30/15.

iShares^® ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.