SAN MATEO, CA--(Marketwire - Mar 12, 2012) - Franklin Templeton Investments expands its mobile offerings with the launch of an iPad app, providing a powerful way for on-the-go U.S. financial advisors and investors to quickly access fund information and portfolio manager perspectives. The Franklin Templeton app, which can be downloaded for free from the [ Apple App Store on iTunes ](i), provides engaging, interactive access to information on Franklin Templeton's complete line-up of mutual funds and timely video and commentary from the firm's investment professionals. Users have the option to customize elements of the app to match their preferences and interests.

"Financial advisors and investors are becoming increasingly mobile and placing greater importance on being able to easily access information when and where they need it. There is a clear need to deliver fund information in new formats consistent with their changing preferences," said David McSpadden, senior vice president of Global Advisory Services. "The Franklin Templeton app for the iPad is part of our efforts to leverage mobile technology and social media as we continue to evolve the ways in which we connect with and serve our clients."

With the Franklin Templeton app, users can search for funds, explore individual funds in detail, view portfolio manager videos, read investment commentary and email fund fact sheets directly from an iPad. The app's briefcase feature enables customization with the ability to save and quickly recall frequently used information in three categories -- Funds, Literature and Video. An informational video highlighting the app's features is available at [ franklintempleton.com/ipad ].

In addition to the new iPad app, Franklin Templeton's mobile site offers an optimized version of [ franklintempleton.com ] for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry users. The mobile site features key web content relevant to mobile users, including price and performance data for Franklin Templeton funds.

Franklin Templeton also communicates through social media outlets to ensure that advisors and investors can stay abreast of the firm's latest views. These include a [ Twitter feed ] (@FTI_Perspective), [ Facebook page ] and [ YouTube ] channel (FranklinTempletonTV), as well as a [ Beyond Bulls & Bears blog ], which features perspectives from members of Franklin Templeton's various investment teams. Mark Mobius, executive chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group, also has an [ Investment Adventures in Emerging Markets blog ] and [ Twitter feed ].

All investments involve risks. Investors should carefully consider a fund's investment goals, risks, charges and expenses before investing. To obtain a summary prospectus and/or prospectus, which contains this and other information, talk to your financial advisor, call us at (800) DIAL BEN/(800) 342-5236 or visit franklintempleton.com. Please carefully read a prospectus before you invest or send money.

Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc., is the principal underwriter of Franklin Templeton's U.S. registered funds. Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE: [ BEN ]) is a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton Investments. Franklin Templeton Investments provides global and domestic investment management solutions managed by its Franklin, Templeton, Mutual Series, Fiduciary Trust, Darby and Bissett investment teams. The San Mateo, CA-based company has more than 60 years of investment experience and over $727 billion in assets under management as of February 29, 2012. For more information, please call 1-800/DIAL BEN^® or visit franklintempleton.com.

Copyright © 2012. Franklin Templeton Investments. All rights reserved.

(i) iTunes software required.