An investigation on behalf of current investors of Northern Trust Corporation (NASADAQ: NTRS) over possible shareholder claims concerning breaches of fiduciary duty related to the historical and potential compensation that was awarded certain senior officers was announced.

According to the investigation by a law firm the investigation focuses on possible claims that certain Northern Trust Corporations senior officers were unjustly enriched through their receipt of unwarranted, excessive or unearned compensation from 2005-2007. Northern Trust Corporation is a financial holding company, which provides investment management, asset and fund administration, fiduciary, and banking solutions for corporations, institutions, and affluent individuals. Certain senior officers at Northern Trust, were awarded salaries, bonuses, stock options and other forms of long-term, incentive or retirement compensation that was, so the investigation, excessive or unwarranted based on Northern Trusts performance as compared to what senior officers at comparable companies were making and/or results that were fraudulent, misleading or not long-lasting. The investigation by the law firm is also investigating claims that the prior compensation awarded at Northern Trust is now clearly improper based upon its current operating condition. Finally the investigation focuses also on possible claims that would allow Northern Trust stockholders to influence or control future compensation decisions at Northern Trust. Northern Trust Corp. is located in Chicago Illinois and had $82Billion in total assets in 2008 with a net income in 2008 of $794.8Million. The shares of Northern Trust (NASADAQ: NTRS) traded at $59.09 recently and reached almost $90 in 2000.