CHICAGO, March 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Northern Trust announced today it has been selected by Lincoln Financial Group as custodian of its defined benefit retirement plan. Services for the $1.1 billion plan include securities lending and Investment Risk & Analytical Services, in addition to custody.

"Northern Trust provides excellent client service, global experience and strong relationship management," said Rise Taylor, vice president and treasurer of Lincoln Life Insurance Co. "We feel that Northern Trust has the right combination of technology innovation and operations expertise to help us realize our goals in today's financial markets."

"We are pleased to expand our relationship with a financial services leader like Lincoln Financial Group," said Sheldon W. Woldt, senior vice president and head of relationship management for the Insurance Division at Northern Trust. "Plan sponsors increasingly seek risk and compliance reporting for diversified investment portfolios. As a global custodian, we help our clients access a broad array of assets and global markets, evaluate the underlying risks and make informed decisions in order to meet their short- and long-term obligations."

About Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE: LNC - News) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the greater Philadelphia area, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $237 billion as of December 31, 2007. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life and disability insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; mutual funds; managed accounts; institutional investments; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. Affiliates also include: Delaware Investments, the marketing name for Delaware Management Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, and Lincoln UK. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit http://www.LincolnFinancial.com.

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS - News) is a leading provider of investment management, asset and fund administration, fiduciary and banking solutions for corporations, institutions and affluent individuals worldwide. Northern Trust, a multibank holding company based in Chicago, has a growing network of 85 offices in 18 U.S. states and has international offices in 13 locations in North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. As of December 31, 2007, Northern Trust had assets under custody of US$4.1 trillion, and assets under investment management of US$757.2 billion. Northern Trust, founded in 1889, has earned distinction as an industry leader in combining high-touch service and expertise with innovative products and technology. For more information, visit http://www.northerntrust.com.

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