ANNUAL REPORT February 28, 2002 ING PRIME RATE TRUST [PHOTO] [LION LOGO] ING FUNDS ING Prime Rate Trust ANNUAL REPORT February 28, 2002 ---------- Table of Contents Portfolio Managers' Report ........................................ 2 Statistics and Performance ........................................ 5 Performance Footnotes ............................................. 7 Additional Notes and information .................................. 8 Report of Independent Auditors .................................... 9 Portfolio of Investments .......................................... 10 Statement of Assets and Liabilities ............................... 30 Statement of Operations ........................................... 31 Statement of Changes in Net Assets ................................ 32 Statements of Cash Flows .......................................... 33 Financial Highlights .............................................. 34 Notes to Financial Statements ..................................... 36 Tax Information ................................................... 43 ---------- ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO MANAGERS' REPORT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Shareholders: We are pleased to present the February 28, 2002 Annual Report for the ING Prime Rate Trust (formerly the Pilgrim Prime Rate Trust). Our fund family now has many funds of varying types which are designed to provide core investment choices for the serious investor. On March 1, 2002, several name changes took place with the Pilgrim Funds to reflect our new association with the Aetna Funds under ING Group. The integrated fund family is now called ING Funds. ING Prime Rate Trust (the "Trust") invests in a diversified portfolio of non-investment grade senior floating rate loans made primarily to U.S. based corporations. During the year ended February 28, 2002, the Trust paid its 166th consecutive dividend. PERFORMANCE OF THE TRUST Based on $0.12 of dividends declared for common shareholders during the quarter ended February 28, 2002 and the average month-end net asset value ("NAV") per share of $7.25, the annualized distribution rate was 6.80%1 for the quarter, down from 7.48% as of November 30, 2001. As stated in earlier reports, the decline in the annualized distribution rate is consistent with the dramatic reduction in short term interest rates, commencing late in 2000 and lasting through the end of the Trust's 2002 fiscal year end. The Trust's annualized distribution rate based on the Trust's month-end NYSE Composite Closing Price ("Market") for the quarter was 7.31%1, which continues to present an attractive yield advantage over many other variable and fixed income investment products. The Trust's total return (based on NAV) for the quarter was 0.33%, as compared to -3.06%, for the quarter ended November 30, 2001. The improvement reflects both a decidedly better tone across the non-investment grade loan market in recent months and a general firming of indicative loan prices subsequent to the September 11, 2001 tragedies. Total return for the full fiscal year ended February 28, 2002 was -3.02%, reflective largely of the still challenging credit conditions that were undoubtedly exacerbated by the events of September 11th. Default and recovery experience market-wide remains challenging, particularly in those sectors in which fresh capital is scarce (e.g., telecommunications and technology). We continue to strive to improve the overall quality of the Trust's portfolio. To that end, the Trust increased its exposure to borrowers from the cable television and healthcare sectors, both of which have performed relatively well in a comparably volatile credit environment. Conversely, we were fortunately able to reduce exposure to the hospitality sector, one of the industry groupings most significantly impacted in the wake of the attacks, without a meaningful impact on net asset value. Diversification measures were also improved slightly during the quarter ended February 28, 2002, as the number of individual issuers increased to 254 (from 250) and the average position size remained unchanged, at approximately 0.38% of total assets. LEVERAGE The Trust has utilized financial leverage to seek to increase the yield to the holders of common shares. As of February 28, 2002, the Trust had $732 million of borrowings outstanding, consisting of $450 million of `aaa/AAA' rated cumulative auction rate preferred shares, and $282 million under a $550 million credit facility. Total leverage, as a percentage of total assets (including preferred shares), was 42.5% at year end. The weighted average cost of all borrowing and leveraging as of the year end was 1.98%. 2 OUTLOOK We continue to be encouraged by signs, some admittedly nascent, of recovery in the U.S. economy. Improving economic conditions and the associated probability of rising short-term interest provides the ideal backdrop for solid performance on the part of loans. By definition, floating rate loans would provide an increasing yield once the Federal Reserve begins to raise interest rates. Conversely, bond prices generally move in the opposite direction as interest rates, regardless of credit quality. As such, we believe the Trust at this time is attractively positioned from a risk/return standpoint, relative to other income generating alternatives. We thank you for your investment in ING Prime Rate Trust. /s/ Jeffrey A. Bakalar /s/ Daniel A. Norman Jeffrey A. Bakalar Daniel A. Norman Senior Vice President Senior Vice President Co-Senior Portfolio Manager Co-Senior Portfolio Manager ING Prime Rate Trust April 19, 2002 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO MANAGERS' FOOTNOTES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. The distribution rate is calculated by annualizing dividends declared during the quarter and dividing the resulting annualized dividend by the Trust's average month-end net asset value (in the case of NAV) or the average month-end NYSE Composite closing price (in the case of Market). The distribution rate is based solely on the actual dividends and distributions, which are made at the discretion of management. The distribution rate may or may not include all investment income and ordinarily will not include capital gains or losses, if any. PERFORMANCE DATA REPRESENTS PAST PERFORMANCE AND IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE RESULTS. INVESTMENT RETURN AND PRINCIPAL VALUE OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE TRUST WILL FLUCTUATE. SHARES, WHEN SOLD, MAY BE WORTH MORE OR LESS THAN THEIR ORIGINAL COST. SENIOR LOANS ARE SUBJECT TO CREDIT RISKS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR NON-PAYMENT OF SCHEDULED PRINCIPAL OR INTEREST PAYMENTS, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A REDUCTION OF THE TRUST'S NAV. THIS LETTER CONTAINS STATEMENTS THAT MAY BE "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS." ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE PROJECTED IN THE "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS." THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS LETTER REFLECT THOSE OF THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS ONLY THROUGH THE END OF THE PERIOD OF THE REPORT AS STATED ON THE COVER. THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS' VIEWS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME BASED ON MARKET AND OTHER CONDITIONS. 4 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATISTICS AND PERFORMANCE as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO CHARACTERISTICS Net Assets $ 985,981,679 Assets Invested in Senior Loans* $1,644,669,913 Total Number of Senior Loans 254 Average Amount Outstanding per Loan $ 6,475,078 Total Number of Industries 34 Average Loan Amount per Industry $ 48,372,645 Portfolio Turnover Rate (YTD) 53% Weighted Average Days to Interest Rate Reset 46 days Average Loan Final Maturity 51 months Total Leverage as a Percentage of Total Assets (including Preferred Shares) 42.5% * Includes loans and other debt received through restructurings TOP TEN SENIOR LOAN INDUSTRIES AS A PERCENTAGE OF: NET ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS ---------- ------------ Cable Television 11.5% 6.6% Cellular Communications 11.3% 6.5% Healthcare, Education and Childcare 10.3% 5.9% Lodging 10.0% 5.8% Leisure, Amusement, Motion Pictures and Entertainment 10.0% 5.7% Chemicals, Plastics and Rubber 8.4% 4.9% Containers, Packaging and Glass 7.6% 4.4% Aerospace and Defense 7.3% 4.2% Automobile 6.2% 3.6% Beverage, Food and Tobacco 6.2% 3.5% TOP TEN SENIOR LOANS AS A PERCENTAGE OF: NET ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS ---------- ------------ Nextel Finance Co. 5.0% 2.8% Charter Communications Operating LLC 4.5% 2.6% Broadwing Corporation 2.8% 1.6% Wyndham International, Inc. 2.5% 1.4% Allied Waste Industries, Inc. 2.4% 1.4% SC International Services 2.4% 1.4% Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. 2.3% 1.3% Ford Motor Credit Corp. 2.0% 1.1% Dean Foods Corporation 1.7% 1.0% Western Wireless Corp. 1.7% 1.0% 5 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATISTICS AND PERFORMANCE as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YIELDS AND DISTRIBUTION RATES Average Average (NAV) (MKT) Annualized Annualized Prime 30-Day SEC 30-Day SEC Distribution Distribution Quarter-ended Rate Yield(A) Yield(A) Rate at NAV(B) Rate at MKT(B) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 28, 2002 4.75% 7.26% 7.73% 6.80% 7.31% November 30, 2001 5.00% 8.33% 9.26% 7.48% 8.23% August 31, 2001 6.50% 10.49% 10.69% 8.19% 8.37% May 31, 2001 7.00% 11.20% 11.38% 9.42% 9.50% AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS NAV MKT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Year -3.02% -9.20% 3 Years 0.89% -2.04% 5 Years 3.65% 1.23% 10 Years 5.70% N/A Since Trust Inception(F,H) 6.73% N/A Since Initial Trading on NYSE(G) N/A 5.56% ASSUMES RIGHTS WERE EXERCISED AND EXCLUDES SALES CHARGES AND COMMISSIONS C,D,E PERFORMANCE DATA REPRESENTS PAST PERFORMANCE AND IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE RESULTS. INVESTMENT RETURN AND PRINCIPAL VALUE OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE TRUST WILL FLUCTUATE. SHARES, WHEN SOLD, MAY BE WORTH MORE OR LESS THAN THEIR ORIGINAL COST. See performance footnotes on page 7. 6 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PERFORMANCE FOOTNOTES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (A) Yield is calculated by dividing the Trust's net investment income per share for the most recent thirty days by the net asset value (in the case of NAV) or the NYSE Composite closing price (in the case of market) at quarter-end. Yield calculations do not include any commissions or sales charges, and are compounded for six months and annualized for a twelve-month period to derive the Trust's yield consistent with the SEC standardized yield formula for open-end investment companies. (B) The distribution rate is calculated by annualizing each monthly dividend, then averaging the annualized dividends declared for each month during the quarter and dividing the resulting average annualized dividend amount by the Trust's average net asset value (in the case of NAV) or the NYSE Composite closing price (in the case of Market) at the end of the period. (C) Calculation of total return assumes a hypothetical initial investment at the net asset value (in the case of NAV) or the NYSE Composite closing price (in the case of Market) on the last business day before the first day of the stated period, with all dividends and distributions reinvested at the actual reinvestment price. (D) On December 27, 1994, the Trust issued to its shareholders transferable rights which entitled the holders to subscribe for 17,958,766 shares of the Trust's common stock at the rate of one share of common stock for each four rights held. On January 27, 1995, the offering expired and was fully subscribed. The Trust issued 17,958,766 shares of its common stock to exercising rights holders at a subscription price of $8.12. Offering costs of $4,470,955 were charged against the offering proceeds. (E) On October 18, 1996, the Trust issued to its shareholders non-transferable rights which entitled the holders to subscribe for 18,122,963 shares of the Trust's common stock at the rate of one share of common stock for each five rights held. On November 12, 1996, the offering expired and was fully subscribed. The Trust issued 18,122,963 shares of its common stock to exercising rights holders at a subscription price of $9.09. Offering costs of $6,972,203 were charged against the offering proceeds. (F) Inception Date -- May 12, 1988. (G) Initial Trading on NYSE -- March 9, 1992. (H) Reflects partial waiver of fees. 7 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADDITIONAL NOTES AND INFORMATION -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREHOLDER INVESTMENT PROGRAM The Trust offers a Shareholder Investment Program (the "Program", formerly known as the Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan) which allows common shareholders a simple way to reinvest dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, in additional common shares of the Trust. The Program also offers Trust common shareholders the ability to make optional cash investments in any amount from $100 to $5,000 on a monthly basis. Amounts in excess of $5,000 require prior approval of the Trust. DST Systems, Inc., the Trust's Transfer Agent, is the Administrator for the Program. For dividend reinvestment purposes, the Administrator will purchase shares of the Trust on the open market when the market price plus estimated commissions is less than the net asset value on the valuation date. The Trust may issue new shares when the market price plus estimated commissions is equal to or exceeds the net asset value on the valuation date. New shares may be issued at the greater of (i) net asset value or (ii) the market price of the shares during the pricing period, minus a discount of 5%. For optional cash investments, shares will be purchased on the open market by the Administrator when the market price plus estimated commissions is less than the net asset value on the valuation date. New shares may be issued by the Trust when the market price plus estimated commissions is equal to or exceeds the net asset value on the valuation date. There is no charge to participate in the Program. Participants may elect to discontinue participation in the Program at any time. Participants will share, on a pro-rata basis, in the fees or expenses of any shares acquired in the open market. Participation in the Program is not automatic. If you would like to receive more information about the Program or if you desire to participate, please contact your broker or our Shareholder Services Department at (800) 992-0180. KEY FINANCIAL DATES -- Calendar 2002 Dividends: DECLARATION DATE EX-DATE PAYABLE DATE ---------------- ------- ------------ January 31 February 7 February 25 February 28 March 7 March 22 March 28 April 8 April 22 April 30 May 8 May 22 May 31 June 6 June 24 June 28 July 8 July 22 July 31 August 8 August 22 August 30 September 6 September 23 September 30 October 8 October 22 October 31 November 7 November 22 November 29 December 6 December 23 December 20 December 27 January 13, 2003 RECORD DATE WILL BE TWO BUSINESS DAYS AFTER EACH EX-DATE. THESE DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. STOCK DATA The Trust's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (Symbol: PPR). Effective March 1, 2002, the Trust's name changed to ING Prime Rate Trust and its CUSIP number changed to 44977W106. On November 16, 1998 the Trust's name changed to Pilgrim Prime Rate Trust and its cusip number became 72146W 10 3. Prior to November 16, 1998 the Trust's name was Pilgrim America Prime Rate Trust and its cusip number was 720906 10 6. The Trust's NAV and market price are published daily under the "Closed-End Funds" feature in Barron's, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and many other regional and national publications. 8 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees ING Prime Rate Trust: We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the ING Prime Rate Trust (the "Trust") (formerly the Pilgrim Prime Rate Trust) as of February 28, 2002, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, and the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period ended February 28, 2002, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the seven-year period ended February 28, 2002. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. For all periods ending prior to March 1, 1995, the financial highlights were audited by the auditors whose report thereon dated March 16, 1995, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of investments owned as of February 28, 2002 by confirmation with the custodian and other procedures we considered necessary. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the ING Prime Rate Trust as of February 28, 2002 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period ended February 28, 2002, and financial highlights for each of the years in the seven-year period ended February 28, 2002, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. /s/ KPMG LLP Los Angeles, California April 19, 2002 9 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Senior Loans* Bank Loan Ratings+ Principal (unaudited) Amount Borrower/Tranche Description Moody's S&P Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aerospace and Defense: 7.3% Aerostructures Corp. NR BB- $ 2,329,252 Term Loan, maturing May 09, 2003 $ 2,253,551 Alliant Techsystems, Inc. B1 BB- 2,906,644 Term Loan, maturing April 20, 2009 2,941,840 Avborne NR NR 14,546,889 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2005 9,091,806 DRS Technologies Ba3 BB- 1,995,000 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2008 2,014,950 Erickson Air-Crane Company NR NR 8,529,838 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2004 8,347,998 New Piper Aircraft NR NR 8,550,661 Term Loan, maturing April 15, 2005 8,443,777 Piedmont Aviation Services NR NR 6,239,878 Term Loan, maturing July 23, 2006 6,177,479 6,239,878 Term Loan, maturing July 23, 2007 6,177,479 Titan Corporation Ba3 BB- 3,447,368 Term Loan, maturing February 23, 2007 3,451,678 2,992,386 Term Loan, maturing February 23, 2007 2,996,126 Transdigm Holding Corporation B1 B+ 556,354 Term Loan, maturing May 15, 2006 548,589 1,426,719 Term Loan, maturing May 15, 2007 1,406,805 Transtar Metals, Inc. NR NR 14,866,071 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2005(3) 8,919,643 United Defense Industries B1 BB- 6,053,734 Term Loan, maturing August 13, 2009 6,083,058 Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. Ba3 B 3,083,333 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2006 2,944,583 ----------- 71,799,362 ----------- Automobile: 6.2% Breed Technolgies, Inc. NR NR 1,612,242 Term Loan, maturing December 20, 2004 1,371,414 Capital Tool & Design, Ltd. NR NR 9,131,964 Term Loan, maturing May 31, 2003 8,858,005 Collins & Aikman Products Ba3 BB- 3,000,000 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2005 3,007,188 Dura Operating Corp Ba3 BB- 3,855,380 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2006 3,854,177 Exide Technologies Caa2 CCC 5,210,467 Term Loan, maturing March 18, 2005 3,966,468 Ford Motor Credit Company Baa1 BBB+ 20,000,000 Floating Rate Note maturing October 25, 2004 19,664,940 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 10 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bank Loan Ratings+ Principal (unaudited) Amount Borrower/Tranche Description Moody's S&P Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Automobile (continued) Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.(2) Caa2 NR $ 5,478,750 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2005(3) $ 4,427,275 Metaldyne Company, LLC Ba3 BB- 3,354,532 Term Loan, maturing June 21, 2009 3,193,095 Safelite Glass Corp. B3 NR 5,723,514 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2007 5,823,676 7,105,846 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2007 7,230,199 ----------- 61,396,437 ----------- Banking: 1.2% Outsourcing Solutions, Inc. B2 B+ 12,231,030 Term Loan, maturing June 10, 2006 11,405,436 ----------- 11,405,436 ----------- Beverage, Food and Tobacco: 6.2% Aurora Foods B2 B 1,920,000 Revolving Loan, maturing June 30, 2005 1,797,600 4,963,563 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2005 4,897,384 Commonwealth Brands, Inc. Ba3 BB- 2,265,170 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2004 2,270,833 Cott Corporation Ba3 BB 1,930,000 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2006 1,939,650 CP Kelco ApS B1 B+ 5,232,963 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2008 4,945,150 1,748,704 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2008 1,652,525 Dean Foods Corporation Ba2 BB+ 17,000,000 Term Loan, maturing July 15, 2008 17,145,707 Empire Kosher Poultry NR NR 13,545,000 Term Loan, maturing July 31, 2004 8,262,450 Flower Foods Ba2 BBB- 2,487,500 Term Loan, maturing March 26, 2007 2,505,845 Imperial Sugar Company NR NR 949,055 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2005 768,735 1,025,865 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2003 830,950 Interstate Bakeries Corporation BA1 BBB- 2,985,000 Term Loan, maturing July 19, 2007 3,003,656 Mafco Worldwide Corp. B1 B 3,666,667 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2006 3,639,627 New World Coffee Manhattan Bagel, Inc. B3 B- 4,000,000 Secured Floating Rate Note maturing June 15, 2003 4,000,000 Nutrasweet Acquisition Corp. Ba3 NR 962,868 Term Loan, maturing May 25, 2007 962,868 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 11 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bank Loan Ratings+ Principal (unaudited) Amount Borrower/Tranche Description Moody's S&P Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beverage, Food and Tobacco: (continued) Pabst Brewing Company NR CCC $ 2,377,056 Term Loan, maturing April 27, 2003 $ 2,186,892 ------------ 60,809,872 ------------ Building and Real Estate: 5.6% Corrections Corporation Of America B2 B 4,987,500 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2002 4,987,500 9,391,605 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2002 9,370,871 HQ Global WorkPlaces, Inc.(2) NR NR 3,865,243 Term Loan, maturing November 06, 2005(3) 2,898,933 Kevco, Inc.(2) NR D 1,075,454 Term Loan, maturing February 02, 2005(3) 737,923 National Golf Operating Partnership, L.P NR NR 8,835,292 Term Loan, maturing July 22, 2004 8,172,645 Rodamco North America Baa3 BBB- 7,140,645 Term Loan, maturing November 08, 2002 7,033,536 1,331,974 Term Loan, maturing September 25, 2002 1,331,974 U.S. Aggregates NR NR 5,137,631 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2006(3) 3,978,191 Ventas Realty Limited Partnership NR NR 1,379,705 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2005 1,380,137 15,073,116 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2007 15,079,401 ------------ 54,971,111 ------------ Cable Television: 11.5% CC VI Operating Co., LLC Ba3 BB 8,000,000 Term Loan, maturing November 12, 2008 7,788,000 CC VIII Operating Co., LLC Ba3 BB+ 4,500,000 Term Loan, maturing February 02, 2008 4,383,563 Century Cable Holdings, LLC Ba2 BB 8,000,000 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2009 7,915,000 5,000,000 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2009 4,948,010 Charter Communications Operating, LLC Ba3 BBB- 20,000,000 Term Loan, maturing September 18, 2008 19,390,000 26,056,250 Term Loan, maturing March 18, 2008 25,273,468 Insight Midwest Holdings, LLC Ba3 BB+ 14,500,000 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2009 14,558,261 Lodgenet Entertainment Corp. Ba3 B+ 997,500 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2006 985,031 MCC Iowa Mediacom Broadband Ba3 BB+ 13,500,000 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2010 13,569,376 Olympus Cable Holdings, LLC Ba2 BB 15,000,000 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2010 14,907,420 ------------ 113,718,129 ------------ See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 12 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bank Loan Ratings+ Principal (unaudited) Amount Borrower/Tranche Description Moody's S&P Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cargo Transport: 4.8% American Commercial Lines B3 B+ $ 2,092,959 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2007 $ 1,924,999 1,459,161 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2006 1,342,063 Evergreen International Aviation, Inc. Ba2 B+ 2,249,114 Term Loan, maturing May 07, 2003 2,035,448 94,793 Term Loan, maturing May 31, 2002 85,788 346,546 Term Loan, maturing May 07, 2003 313,624 Gemini Leasing, Inc. B1 NR 4,117,116 Term Loan, maturing August 12, 2005(3) 2,058,558 Interpool, Inc. Ba2 BBB 15,739,480 Term Loan, maturing October 26, 2002 15,788,666 Motor Coach Industries International, Inc. B2 B 5,000,000 Term Loan, maturing June 16, 2006 4,200,000 Neoplan USA Corporation NR NR 9,639,990 Term Loan, maturing May 29, 2005 9,639,990 Omnitrax Railroads, LLC NR NR 4,843,219 Term Loan, maturing May 13, 2005 4,831,111 Oshkosh Truck Company Ba2 BB+ 2,962,500 Term Loan, maturing January 31, 2007 2,988,422 Railamerica, Inc. Ba3 BB- 1,199,061 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2005 1,185,572 188,523 Revolving Loan, maturing December 31, 2005 184,988 452,280 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2006 454,259 ----------- 47,033,488 ----------- Cellular Communications: 11.3% Airgate PCS, Inc. B2 B2 7,295,114 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2008 7,240,401 967,427 Term Loan, maturing August 29, 2007 960,171 American Cellular Corporation Ba3 BB- 4,521,813 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2009 4,425,467 2,592,246 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2008 2,537,013 Microcell Connexions, Inc. B3 CC 5,000,000 Term Loan, maturing February 22, 2007 4,250,000 Independent Wireless One B2 B- 10,000,000 Term Loan, maturing June 20, 2008 9,825,000 Nextel Finance Company Ba2 BB- 4,750,000 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2008 3,933,394 50,500,000 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2009 41,089,527 4,750,000 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2008 3,933,394 Nextel Operations, Inc. Ba2 BB- 6,611,043 Term Loan, maturing March 15, 2006 6,552,177 Rural Cellular Corp. Ba3 B+ 4,990,078 Term Loan, maturing October 03, 2008 4,601,565 4,990,078 Term Loan, maturing April 03, 2009 4,601,565 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bank Loan Ratings+ Principal (unaudited) Amount Borrower/Tranche Description Moody's S&P Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cellular Communications (continued) Western Wireless Ba2 Ba2 $ 3,600,000 Revolving Loan, maturing March 31, 2008 $ 3,078,000 8,000,000 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2008 6,870,000 8,000,000 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2008 7,146,664 ------------ 111,044,338 ------------ Chemicals, Plastics and Rubber: 8.4% Acadia Elastomers Corp. NR NR 9,452,555 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2004 9,045,206 Cedar Chemicals Corporation NR NR 10,943,864 Term Loan, maturing October 31, 2003(3) 2,735,966 Equistar Chemicals, L.P. Ba2 BBB 4,987,500 Term Loan, maturing August 24, 2007 5,005,166 Euro United Corp(4) NR NR 14,887,500 Term Loan, maturing May 31, 2001(3) 4,466,250 Foam Fabricators, Inc. NR NR 3,889,180 Term Loan, maturing March 05, 2005 3,879,457 Foamex, L.P. B3 BB- 3,263,101 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2005 3,177,444 2,966,466 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2006 2,888,596 Geo Speciality Chemicals, Inc. B1 B+ 3,000,000 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2007 2,895,000 Hercules Incorporated Ba1 BB 11,137,327 Term Loan, maturing October 15, 2003 11,119,931 1,980,000 Term Loan, maturing November 15, 2005 1,984,744 Huntsman Corporation Caa2 D 5,099,561 Revolving Loan, maturing February 07, 2003 3,374,186 5,800,000 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2002 5,792,750 260,155 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2003 172,028 7,000,000 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2005 4,628,750 Huntsman International, LLC B2 B+ 3,158,023 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2008 3,081,226 1,612,264 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2005 1,549,386 3,158,023 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2007 3,081,226 Lyondell Chemical Company Ba3 BB 4,963,386 Term Loan, maturing May 17, 2006 5,008,886 Millennium America, Inc. Baa3 BBB- 1,840,000 Term Loan, maturing June 18, 2006 1,849,200 Noveon, Inc. B1 BB- 4,711,250 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2008 4,718,614 OM Group, Inc. Ba3 BB 1,994,991 Term Loan, maturing April 01, 2007 2,003,511 ------------ 82,457,523 ------------ See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 14 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bank Loan Ratings+ Principal (unaudited) Amount Borrower/Tranche Description Moody's S&P Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Containers, Packaging & Glass: 7.6% Blue Ridge Paper Products B2 B+ $ 8,772,601 Term Loan, maturing May 14, 2006 $ 8,772,601 Greif Bros. Corp. Ba3 BB 2,382,990 Term Loan, maturing April 03, 2002 2,373,559 2,311,664 Term Loan, maturing February 28, 2008 2,323,463 Impaxx, Inc. NR NR 4,800,000 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2005 4,750,609 Jefferson Smurfit Corp. Ba3 B+ 3,000,000 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2007 3,002,292 Lincoln Pulp & Eastern Fine Paper Corp.(2) NR NR 14,881,108 Term Loan, maturing August 31, 2004 13,032,232 92,280 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2001 92,637 Nexpak Corporation B1 B+ 2,295,403 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2006 1,916,661 2,295,403 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2005 1,916,661 Packaging Corporation Of America Baa3 BBB 1,510,295 Term Loan, maturing June 29, 2006 1,507,778 Pliant Corp. B2 B+ 2,946,429 Term Loan, maturing May 31, 2008 2,924,330 Potlatch Corporation Baa2 BBB- 2,985,000 Term Loan, maturing June 29, 2005 2,996,815 Riverwood International Corporation B1 B+ 1,008,333 Revolving Loan, maturing December 31, 2006 974,932 15,000,000 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2006 15,079,020 Stone Container Corp. Ba3 B+ 5,630,489 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2005 5,637,527 5,068,574 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2006 5,067,520 Tekni-Plex, Inc. B1 B+ 2,955,000 Term Loan, maturing June 21, 2008 2,925,450 ----------- 75,294,087 ----------- Data and Internet Services: 1.6% 360Networks, Inc.(2) NR D 7,500,000 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2007(3) 1,375,000 5,000,000 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2007(3) 850,000 Arch Wireless Holdings, Inc.(2) Caa1 D 8,515,897 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2006(3) 1,450,368 ICG Equipment, Inc.(2) Caa3 D 6,995,226 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2006 6,610,489 McLeod USA Corp.(2) Caa2 D 2,000,000 Term Loan, maturing May 30, 2008 1,260,000 Teletouch Communications(2) NR NR 9,896,064 Term Loan, maturing November 30, 2004(3) 3,661,544 Teligent, Inc.(2) NR NR 4,750,000 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2006(3) 148,438 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 15 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bank Loan Ratings+ Principal (unaudited) Amount Borrower/Tranche Description Moody's S&P Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Data and Internet Services: (continued) TSR Wireless(1) NR NR $ 11,440,280 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2005(3) $ 188,480 ----------- 15,544,319 ----------- Diversified/Conglomerate Manufacturing: 4.1% Allied Digital Technologies Corp.(2) NR NR 8,498,223 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2005(3) 709,733 Barjan Products LLC NR NR 4,863,375 Term Loan, maturing May 31, 2006 4,644,523 Dresser, Inc. Ba3 BB- 5,957,531 Term Loan, maturing April 10, 2009 6,002,213 General Cable Corporation Ba3 BB+ 3,725,589 Term Loan, maturing May 27, 2007 3,592,865 Manitowoc Company, Inc. Ba2 BB 1,990,000 Term Loan, maturing May 09, 2007 2,003,930 Mueller Group, Inc. B1 B+ 2,992,386 Term Loan, maturing April 17, 2008 3,006,100 Neptune Technology Group Ba3 BB- 3,000,000 Term Loan, maturing November 01, 2008 3,030,000 SPX Corporation Ba2 BB+ 4,950,040 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2007 4,960,351 6,900,000 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2004 6,865,500 United Pet Group NR NR 6,214,397 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2006 6,232,862 ----------- 41,048,077 ----------- Diversified/Conglomerate Service: 2.4% Enterprise Profit Solutions Corp. NR NR 1,548,033 Term Loan, maturing June 14, 2001(3) 30,961 Mafco Finance Corp. NR NR 7,086,460 Term Loan, maturing August 14, 2002 7,020,024 Private Business NR NR 3,955,072 Term Loan, maturing August 19, 2006 3,915,521 URS Corporation Ba3 BB 10,283,277 Term Loan, maturing June 09, 2005 9,897,654 742,857 Revolving Loan, maturing June 09, 2005 715,000 1,218,750 Term Loan, maturing June 09, 2007 1,180,664 1,218,750 Term Loan, maturing June 09, 2006 1,180,664 ----------- 23,940,488 ----------- Ecological: 3.5% Allied Waste North America, Inc. Ba3 BB 10,245,003 Term Loan, maturing July 21, 2006 10,132,170 1,631,678 Term Loan, maturing July 21, 2005 1,585,922 12,294,003 Term Loan, maturing July 21, 2007 12,137,931 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 16 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bank Loan Ratings+ Principal (unaudited) Amount Borrower/Tranche Description Moody's S&P Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ecological: (continued) American Ref-Fuel Company LLC Baa2 BBB $ 3,874,419 Term Loan, maturing April 30, 2005 $ 3,903,477 Rumpke Consolidated Company NR NR 7,143,312 Term Loan, maturing September 26, 2002 7,109,381 ----------- 34,868,881 ----------- Electronics: 3.4% Acterna LLC Caa1 B 11,184,314 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2007 7,681,956 Decision One Corporation NR NR 2,188,647 Term Loan, maturing April 18, 2005 1,696,201 11,037,214 Term Loan, maturing April 18, 2005 8,553,841 Electro Mechanical Solutions(2) NR NR 2,405,453 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2004(3) -- Insilco Technologies, Inc. Caa2 D 4,937,510 Term Loan, maturing March 25, 2007 2,962,507 Knowles Electronics, Inc. B1 B+ 3,421,448 Term Loan, maturing June 29, 2007 3,276,037 Sarcom, Inc. NR NR 8,993,645 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2001(3) 7,374,789 Transaction Network Services, Inc. Ba3 BB- 2,000,000 Term Loan, maturing April 03, 2007 1,995,000 ----------- 33,540,331 ----------- Finance: 4.0% Alliance Data Systems Corporation B1 B+ 725,446 Term Loan, maturing August 30, 2002 700,056 14,100,000 Term Loan, maturing August 30, 2002 13,941,375 Anthony Crane Rental, L.P. B2 B+ 14,625,000 Term Loan, maturing July 20, 2006 11,224,688 Bridge Information Systems(2) NR NR 1,311,211 Term Loan, maturing April 01, 2001(3) 745,634 664,839 Term Loan, maturing April 01, 2001(3) 378,067 3,736,604 Term Loan, maturing May 29, 2005(3) 1,494,642 Rent-A-Center, Inc. Ba2 BB- 2,963,898 Term Loan, maturing January 31, 2006 2,944,138 1,882,666 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2007 1,877,958 4,751,886 Term Loan, maturing January 31, 2007 4,720,205 Value Asset Management, Inc. B1 NR 1,500,000 Term Loan, maturing April 28, 2003 1,488,750 ----------- 39,515,513 ----------- Gaming: 5.4% Aladdin Gaming LLC(2) NR D 2,968,421 Term Loan, maturing August 26, 2006(3) 2,101,642 4,455,000 Term Loan, maturing February 26, 2008(3) 3,154,140 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 17 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bank Loan Ratings+ Principal (unaudited) Amount Borrower/Tranche Description Moody's S&P Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gaming: (continued) Alliance Gaming Corporation B1 B+ $ 5,000,000 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2006 $ 5,043,750 Ameristar Casinos, Inc. Ba3 B+ 1,364,361 Term Loan, maturing December 20, 2007 1,376,726 1,591,754 Term Loan, maturing December 20, 2006 1,606,180 Argosy Gaming Company Ba2 BB 4,477,500 Term Loan, maturing July 31, 2008 4,537,199 Boyd Gaming Corporation Ba1 B+ 6,343,742 Revolving Loan, maturing June 15, 2003 6,304,039 Mandalay Resort Group Ba2 BB+ 17,000,000 Term Loan, maturing July 26, 2006 16,962,821 Palace Station Hotel & Casino Ba2 BB+ 2,495,076 Revolving Loan, maturing September 30, 2003 2,420,224 Penn National Gaming Ba3 B+ 4,925,000 Term Loan, maturing August 08, 2006 4,951,472 Scientific Games Corporation B1 B+ 4,937,500 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2007 4,956,016 ----------- 53,414,209 ----------- Grocery: 0.2% Grand Union Company(2) NR NR 883,075 Term Loan, maturing August 17, 2003(3) 13,246 Winn Dixie Stores, Inc. Baa3 BBB 2,470,000 Term Loan, maturing March 29, 2007 2,480,036 ----------- 2,493,282 ----------- Healthcare, Education and Childcare: 10.3% Advance PCS Ba1 BB+ 1,322,713 Term Loan, maturing October 02, 2007 1,326,846 Alliance Imaging, Inc. B1 B+ 1,302,985 Term Loan, maturing November 02, 2007 1,310,858 1,419,847 Term Loan, maturing November 02, 2006 1,395,000 4,623,838 Term Loan, maturing November 02, 2008 4,651,775 Alpharma Operating Corp. B1 BB- 2,566,667 Term Loan, maturing October 05, 2008 2,558,646 Apria Healthcare Group, Inc. Ba1 BBB- 4,987,500 Term Loan, maturing July 20, 2007 5,005,166 Brown Schools' (The) NR NR 11,453,904 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2003 11,152,821 Caremark Rx, Inc. Ba3 BB 2,977,500 Term Loan, maturing March 15, 2006 3,008,207 Community Health Systems Ba3 B+ 2,116,858 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2003 2,127,630 2,116,858 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2004 2,128,765 1,299,504 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2005 1,308,438 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 18 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bank Loan Ratings+ Principal (unaudited) Amount Borrower/Tranche Description Moody's S&P Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Healthcare, Education and Childcare (continued) Concentra Managed Care, Inc. B1 B+ $ 3,250,000 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2006 $ 3,260,156 1,625,000 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2007 1,630,078 Covenant Care, Inc. NR NR 5,734,683 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2003 5,634,326 Express Scripts, Inc. Ba1 BB+ 2,164,404 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2005 2,150,877 Fountain View(2) NR NR 12,352,941 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2004 11,815,475 Genesis Health Ventures, Inc. Ba3 BB- 1,739,725 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2007 1,744,695 2,254,623 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2007 2,262,854 1,555,582 Floating Rate Note maturing April 02, 2007 1,555,582 HCA -- The Healthcare Company Ba1 BBB- 10,285,714 Term Loan, maturing April 30, 2006 10,181,253 Healthcare Direct, Inc. NR NR 3,956,500 Term Loan, maturing August 01, 2006 3,919,981 1,519,158 Term Loan, maturing August 01, 2004 1,481,578 Kinetic Concepts, Inc. Ba3 B 3,980,000 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2006 3,989,950 Magellan Health Services, Inc. B1 B+ 1,985,518 Term Loan, maturing February 12, 2006 1,989,551 1,985,518 Term Loan, maturing February 12, 2005 1,989,551 Mariner Post Acute Network, Inc.(2) NR NR 3,630,168 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2006(3) 2,049,230 4,433,302 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2005(3) 2,502,599 Medpointe, Inc. B1 B+ 2,992,500 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2008 2,982,215 Sybron Dental -- Specialities, Inc. Ba3 BB- 1,166,239 Term Loan, maturing November 28, 2007 1,177,172 1,166,667 Term Loan, maturing November 28, 2007 1,177,604 Triad Hospitals, Inc. Ba3 B+ 1,994,545 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2008 2,019,615 Vision Twenty-One NR NR 2,898,018 Term Loan, maturing October 31, 2002 289,802 ------------ 101,778,296 ------------ Home and Office Furnishings, Housewares, and Durable Consumer Products: 1.3% American Blind & Wallpaper Factory, Inc. NR NR 722,983 Term Loan, maturing December 29, 2005 722,983 Desa International, Inc. Caa2 D 7,136,218 Term Loan, maturing November 26, 2004 5,334,323 Holmes Products Corporation B2 B 3,628,288 Term Loan, maturing February 05, 2007 2,920,772 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 19 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bank Loan Ratings+ Principal (unaudited) Amount Borrower/Tranche Description Moody's S&P Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Home and Office Furnishings, Housewares, and Durable Consumer Products: (continued) Identity Group, Inc. $ 4,525,000 Term Loan, maturing May 11, 2007 $ 2,896,000 Imperial Home Decor Group, Inc. NR NR 833,725 Term Loan, maturing April 04, 2006 771,195 ----------- 12,645,273 ----------- Insurance: 1.4% USI Holdings Corp. B1 B+ 9,000,000 Term Loan, maturing September 17, 2004 8,955,000 White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd. Baa2 BBB- 4,500,000 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2007 4,519,688 ----------- 13,474,688 ----------- Leisure, Amusement, Motion Pictures and Entertainment: 10.0% Amfac Parks and Resorts, Inc. NR NR 3,551,476 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2005 3,542,598 3,551,476 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2004 3,542,598 Bally Total Fitness Holding Corporation Ba3 B+ 2,495,370 Term Loan, maturing November 10, 2004 2,493,811 Edwards Theatres, Inc. NR NR 9,729,443 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2005 9,710,119 Fitness Holdings Worldwide, Inc. B1 B 8,302,500 Term Loan, maturing November 02, 2007 7,126,310 9,286,500 Term Loan, maturing November 02, 2006 7,970,909 Icon Health & Fitness, Inc. NR NR 2,750,000 Term Loan, maturing August 31, 2004 2,725,938 4,845,313 Term Loan, maturing November 29, 2004 4,821,086 5,494,603 Term Loan, maturing March 01, 2005 5,412,184 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc. Ba3 BB- 7,862,500 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2005 7,819,909 7,462,500 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2006 7,446,180 Panavision, Inc. B2 B+ 14,088,243 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2005 12,444,610 Regal Cinemas, Inc. B1 B+ 3,000,000 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2007 3,031,875 Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc. Ba2 BB- 2,992,500 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2005 3,016,398 2,833,333 Revolving Loan, maturing November 03, 2004 2,790,833 United Artists Theatre Co. B3 BB- 11,656,991 Term Loan, maturing January 24, 2005 11,644,505 WFI Group, Inc. Ba2 NR 3,000,000 Term Loan, maturing July 14, 2004 3,000,000 ----------- 98,539,863 ----------- See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 20 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bank Loan Ratings+ Principal (unaudited) Amount Borrower/Tranche Description Moody's S&P Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lodging: 10.0% Extended Stay America, Inc. Ba3 BB- $ 17,000,000 Term Loan, maturing January 15, 2008 $17,076,143 KSL Recreational Group, Inc. Ba3 B+ 1,529,544 Term Loan, maturing April 30, 2006 1,508,991 1,529,544 Term Loan, maturing April 30, 2005 1,501,821 9,075,000 Term Loan, maturing December 22, 2006 8,958,731 Lodgian Financing Corp.(2) Ca D 17,071,616 Term Loan, maturing July 15, 2006 14,340,157 Meristar Investment Partners Ba3 B- 2,500,000 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2002 2,362,500 6,512,760 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2002 6,154,558 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Ba1 BBB- 20,000,000 Term Loan, maturing February 23, 2003 19,825,000 2,750,000 Term Loan, maturing February 23, 2003 2,758,308 Wyndham International, Inc. B1 BB 7,728,891 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2004 6,988,208 19,756,144 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2006 17,758,580 ----------- 99,232,997 ----------- Machinery: 1.4% Alliance Laundry Holdings B1 B 10,257,685 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2005 9,693,513 Morris Material Handling, Inc. NR NR 264,491 Term Loan, maturing September 28, 2004 251,266 Vutek, Inc. B2 NR 1,294,825 Term Loan, maturing December 30, 2007 1,281,876 609,754 Term Loan, maturing December 30, 2007 607,468 1,721,639 Term Loan, maturing December 30, 2007 1,704,423 ----------- 13,538,546 ----------- Mining, Steel, Iron and Non-Precious Metals: 0.1% National Refractories Co.(2) NR NR 1,250,000 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2001 1,236,010 ----------- 1,236,010 ----------- Oil and Gas: 2.1% Key Energy Services, Inc. Ba2 BB- 4,494,000 Revolving Loan, maturing October 26, 2003 4,454,677 Plains Marketing L.P. Ba1 BB 3,500,000 Term Loan, maturing September 21, 2007 3,503,283 PMC Company Ba1 BB 3,000,000 Term Loan, maturing May 05, 2006 3,015,000 Tesoro Petroleum Corporation Ba2 BBB- 6,000,000 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2007 6,018,126 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 21 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bank Loan Ratings+ Principal (unaudited) Amount Borrower/Tranche Description Moody's S&P Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oil and Gas: (continued) W-H Energy Services B1 B $ 3,473,750 Term Loan, maturing April 16, 2007 $ 3,465,065 ----------- 20,456,151 ----------- Other Telecommunications: 3.4% Broadwing, Inc. Ba3 BB+ 17,500,000 Term Loan, maturing November 09, 2004 16,625,000 1,000,000 Term Loan, maturing June 28, 2007 967,000 10,000,000 Term Loan, maturing December 30, 2006 9,610,940 Infonet Services Corp. Ba3 BB- 4,887,500 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2006 4,789,750 Pacific Coin NR NR 3,068,524 Term Loan, maturing December 29, 2007 1,841,114 ----------- 33,833,804 ----------- Personal and Nondurable Consumer Products: 4.5% AM Cosmetics Corp. NR NR 2,292,689 Revolving Loan, maturing May 30, 2004(3) 1,948,786 1,305,151 Term Loan, maturing May 30, 2004(3) 1,109,378 2,610,303 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2004(3) 2,218,758 Amscan Holdings, Inc. B1 B+ 9,569,096 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2004 8,899,259 Armkel, LLC Ba3 B+ 1,995,000 Term Loan, maturing March 28, 2009 2,010,587 Buhrmann U.S., Inc. Ba3 BB- 5,072,551 Term Loan, maturing October 26, 2007 4,918,112 3,216,857 Term Loan, maturing October 26, 2005 3,053,000 Centis, Inc. NR NR 3,421,250 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2006(3) 1,197,438 3,900,000 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2005(3) 1,365,000 Church & Dwight Co. Ba2 BB 2,000,000 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2007 2,018,750 Jostens, Inc. B1 BB- 1,406,408 Term Loan, maturing May 31, 2008 1,411,858 3,245,601 Term Loan, maturing May 31, 2006 3,172,575 Norwood Promotional Products, Inc. NR NR 5,029,896 Term Loan, maturing February 01, 2005 5,029,896 1,057,265 Term Loan, maturing February 01, 2005 -- 3,353,264 Term Loan, maturing February 01, 2005 1,742,021 Paint Sundry Brands LLC B1 B+ 957,213 Term Loan, maturing August 11, 2006 918,924 977,360 Term Loan, maturing August 11, 2005 938,265 Playtex Products, Inc. Ba3 BB- 2,473,750 Term Loan, maturing May 31, 2009 2,497,327 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 22 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bank Loan Ratings+ Principal (unaudited) Amount Borrower/Tranche Description Moody's S&P Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Personal and Nondurable Consumer Products: (continued) U.S. Office Products(2) NR NR $ 3,489,974 Term Loan, maturing June 09, 2006(3) $ 116,880 ----------- 44,566,814 ----------- Personal, Food & Miscellaneous: 4.1% Coinmach Corporation B1 BB- 5,000,000 Term Loan, maturing July 25, 2009 5,044,790 Otis Spunkmeyer, Inc. NR NR 4,394,397 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2005 4,130,734 Papa Gino's, Inc. NR NR 2,147,727 Term Loan, maturing August 31, 2007 2,113,478 5,085,938 Term Loan, maturing August 31, 2007 5,043,889 SC International Services Ba1 BBB- 24,740,097 Term Loan, maturing March 01, 2007 23,286,617 581,052 Term Loan, maturing March 01, 2007 546,915 ----------- 40,166,423 ----------- Printing and Publishing: 6.0% Adams Outdoor Advertising, L.P. B1 B+ 2,000,000 Term Loan, maturing February 08, 2008 2,018,126 Advanstar Communications, Inc. B1 B+ 3,782,857 Term Loan, maturing October 11, 2007 3,546,429 12,056,000 Term Loan, maturing April 11, 2007 11,453,200 Canwest Media, Inc. Ba3 BB- 4,265,264 Term Loan, maturing May 15, 2008 4,306,015 4,568,118 Term Loan, maturing May 15, 2009 4,611,762 Lamar Media Corporation Ba2 BB- 5,793,750 Term Loan, maturing March 01, 2006 5,688,738 Mail-Well I Corporation Ba3 BB 2,704,497 Term Loan, maturing February 22, 2007 2,649,563 Primedia, Inc. B1 BB- 3,980,000 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2009 3,552,150 Transwestern Publishing Company Ba3 B+ 2,985,000 Term Loan, maturing June 27, 2008 3,017,650 Vertis, Inc. B1 B+ 3,934,360 Term Loan, maturing November 30, 2008 3,398,303 Von Hoffman Press, Inc. B1 B+ 10,360,046 Term Loan, maturing July 01, 2005 10,075,144 3,185,798 Term Loan, maturing July 01, 2004 3,098,189 Ziff Davis Media, Inc. B3 CCC- 1,712,023 Term Loan, maturing March 31, 2007 1,332,524 ----------- 58,747,793 ----------- See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 23 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bank Loan Ratings+ Principal (unaudited) Amount Borrower/Tranche Description Moody's S&P Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Radio and Television Broadcasting: 4.6% Benedek Broadcasting Corp. B2 CC $ 7,000,000 Term Loan, maturing November 20, 2007 $ 6,567,750 Citadel Broadcasting Company Ba2 B+ 4,500,000 Term Loan, maturing June 26, 2009 4,528,125 Emmis Communications Ba3 B+ 10,484,144 Term Loan, maturing August 31, 2009 10,553,904 Gray Communications Systems Ba3 B+ 3,000,000 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2009 3,020,625 Pegasus Media & Communications, Inc. B1 B+ 5,944,987 Term Loan, maturing April 30, 2005 5,757,970 Paxson Communications Corporation Ba3 BB 4,975,000 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2006 4,975,000 Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Ba2 BB- 5,000,000 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2009 5,042,500 Susquehanna Media Co. Ba1 BB- 2,500,000 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2008 2,509,375 Telemundo Group, Inc. B1 B+ 2,000,000 Term Loan, maturing May 15, 2008 2,002,188 ----------- 44,957,437 ----------- Retail Stores: 4.6% Advance Stores Company Ba3 B+ 5,000,000 Term Loan, maturing November 30, 2007 5,014,585 Murray's Discount Auto Stores, Inc. NR NR 701,249 Revolving Loan, maturing June 30, 2003 674,187 10,976,822 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2003 10,791,467 Peebles, Inc. NR NR 9,531,918 Term Loan, maturing April 30, 2002 9,245,960 713,848 Term Loan, maturing April 30, 2001 692,433 Rite Aid Corporation B2 BB- 17,000,000 Term Loan, maturing June 27, 2005 16,490,000 Travel Centers Of America, Inc. Ba3 BB 2,500,000 Term Loan, maturing November 14, 2008 2,522,918 ----------- 45,431,550 ----------- Telecommunication Equipment: 4.9% American Tower L.P. B2 BB- 11,916,667 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2007 10,273,382 Crown Castle Operating Company Ba3 BB- 13,000,000 Term Loan, maturing March 15, 2008 12,647,921 Pinnacle Towers, Inc. B3 CC 12,077,801 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2007 10,918,332 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 24 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bank Loan Ratings+ Principal (unaudited) Amount Borrower/Tranche Description Moody's S&P Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Telecommunication Equipment: (continued) Spectrasite Communications, Inc. B3 B+ $ 8,500,000 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2007 $ 7,333,375 Tripoint Global Communications, Inc. NR NR 5,075,040 Term Loan, maturing May 31, 2006 4,694,179 TSI Telecommunication Services, Inc. Ba3 B+ 2,500,000 Term Loan, maturing December 31, 2006 2,356,250 -------------- 48,223,439 -------------- Textiles and Leather: 3.4% Accessory Network Group, Inc. NR NR 8,231,155 Term Loan, maturing June 30, 2003 6,582,070 Galey & Lord, Inc.(2) Caa2 D 3,288,730 Term Loan, maturing April 01, 2006 2,258,262 4,636,019 Term Loan, maturing April 02, 2005 3,183,401 Humphrey's, Inc.(2) NR NR 5,957,119 Term Loan, maturing January 15, 2003(3) 24,424 Levi Strauss & Co Ba3 BB+ 506,859 Term Loan, maturing August 29, 2003 508,443 714,286 Revolving Loan, maturing August 29, 2003 694,196 Malden Mills Industries, Inc.(2) NR NR 9,340,635 Term Loan, maturing October 28, 2006(3) 5,137,349 Polymer Group, Inc. B3 CC 4,779,769 Term Loan, maturing December 20, 2005 4,337,640 3,000,000 Term Loan, maturing December 20, 2006 2,721,249 Scovill Fasteners, Inc. NR NR 3,973,214 Term Loan, maturing November 26, 2003 3,741,984 Targus Group, Inc. NR NR 3,449,938 Term Loan, maturing December 20, 2006 3,355,064 William Carter Company Ba3 BB- 997,500 Term Loan, maturing September 30, 2008 1,001,864 -------------- 33,545,946 -------------- Total Senior Loans -- 166.8% (cost $1,830,295,383) 1,644,669,913 -------------- See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 25 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Corporate Debt Bank Loan Ratings+ Principal (unaudited) Amount Borrower/Tranche Description Moody's S&P Value ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Automobile 0.5% Capital Tool & Design Ltd. NR NR $ 6,000,000 Subordinated Note, maturing July 26, 2003 $ 4,800,000 ----------- 4,800,000 ----------- Finance 1.0% Value Asset Management, Inc. B2 NR 10,000,000 Sr. Sub Bridge, maturing August 31, 2005 9,925,000 ----------- 9,925,000 ----------- Healthcare, Education and Childcare 0.0% Vision Twenty-One NR NR 368,022 Subordinated Convertible Note, maturing October 31, 2003(3) 37 37 ----------- Home and Office Furnishings, Housewares, and Durable Consumer Products 0.0% MP Holdings NR NR 64,527 Subordinated Note, maturing March 14, 2007 61,301 ----------- 61,301 ----------- Oil and Gas 0.8% Premcor Refining, Inc. Ba3 BB 9,000,000 Floating Rate Note, maturing November 15, 2004 7,380,000 ----------- 7,380,000 ----------- Other Telecommunications: 0.4% Pacific Coin 3,898,822 Subordinated Loan, maturing December 29, 2007(3) 3,820,846 ----------- 3,820,846 ----------- Personal & Nondurable Consumer Products 0.2% AM Cosmetics Corp. NR NR 3,127,215 Subordinated Note, maturing May 30, 2007 -- Paint Sundry Brands, LLC B2 B+ 2,875,000 Subordinated Note, maturing August 11, 2008 2,371,875 ----------- 2,371,875 ----------- Textiles and Leather 0.1% Tartan Textile Services NR NR 1,332,583 Subordinated Note, maturing April 1, 2011 1,265,954 ----------- 1,265,954 ----------- Total Other Corporate Debt -- 3.0% (cost $36,028,268) 29,625,013 ----------- See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 26 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Stock Shares Value -------- ---------- Aerospace and Defense 0.0% 11,130 Stellex Technologies, Inc.@(R) $ 275,767 ---------- Automobile 1.0% 212,171 Breed Technologies, Inc.@(R) 2,989,489 660,808 Safelite Glass Corporation@(R) 6,528,783 44,605 Safelite Realty@(R) 1 ---------- 9,518,273 ---------- Diversified/Conglomerate Services 0.0% 60,056 Staff Leasing, Inc. 180,168 ---------- Electronics 0.1% 350,059 Decision One Corporation@(R) 1,501,753 ---------- Healthcare, Education and Childcare 0.3% 190,605 Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.@ 2,969,626 ---------- Home and Office Furnishings 0.2% 80,400 American Blind and Wallpaper, Inc.@(R) 804 300,141 Imperial Home Decor Group, Inc.@(R) 1,654,378 300,141 IHDG Realty@(R) 1 590 MP Holdings, Inc.@(R) 6 17,582 Soho Publishing@(R) 176 ---------- 1,655,365 ---------- Machinery 0.2% 481,373 Morris Material Handling, Inc@(R) 1,771,453 ---------- Other Telecommunications 0.0% 1,091 Pacific Coin, Inc.@(R) 1 ---------- Personal and Nondurable Consumer Products 0.0% 37,197 AM Cosmetics Corp.@(R) -- ---------- Textiles and Leather 0.0% 127,306 Dan River, Inc.@ 52,195 ---------- Total Common Stock -- 1.8% (Cost $13,865,777) 17,924,601 ---------- See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 27 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stock Purchase Warrants and Other Securities Shares Value ------ ----- 415 AM Cosmetics Corp., Series E-1 Preferred Stock, exchangable for common shares on a 1-for-1 basis@(R) $ -- ---------- 1 Autotote Systems, Inc., Option representing 0.248% common shares issued and outstanding @(R) -- ---------- 80,208 Boston Chicken Inc., residual interest in Boston Chicken Plan Trust@(R)(2) 8,014,961 ---------- 80,634 Capital Tool & Design, Warrants representing 19,000 common shares@(R) -- ---------- 10,000 Casden Properties Operation, 10,000 shares of junior Cumulative Preferred partnership Units(R) 250,000 ---------- 19,000 Covenant Care, Inc., Warrants representing 19,000 common shares expiring June 30, 2003@(R) -- ---------- 2,696 Electro Mechanical Solutions, Warrants representing 2,564 common shares, expires September 29, 2002@(R) -- ---------- 16,501 Exide, Warrants representing 16,501 common shares, expiring March 16, 2006@(R) 164 2,223 Genesis Health Ventures, Preferred Stock@ 238,973 ---------- 19,397 Holmes Group, Warrants representing 19,397 common shares, expiring May 7, 2006@(R) -- ---------- 430 Murray's Discount Auto Stores, Inc., Warrants representing common stock(R), expires January 22, 2007 3,485,592 ---------- 4,000 New World Coffee, Manhattan Bagel, Inc., Warrants representing 4,000 common shares, expiring June 15, 2006@(R) 160,720 ---------- 48,930 Scientific Games Corp, Warrants representing Class B common stock, non-voting@(R) 262,859 ---------- 23,449 Tartan Textiles Services, Series D Preferred Stock@(R) 2,227,655 ---------- 36,775 Tartan Textiles Services, Series E Preferred Stock@(R) 2,333,852 ---------- 167,239 Crown Paper, Inc. -- Conversion rights representing Tembec common shares@(R)(2) 1,292,072 ---------- 243,778 Vision Twenty-One, Warrants representing 243,778 common shares@(R) -- ---------- Total Other Securities -- 1.9% (Cost $14,021,840) 18,266,848 ---------- Total Investments (Cost $1,894,211,268)(5) 173.5% 1,710,486,375 Preferred Shares and Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets, net (73.5%) (724,504,696) ----- ------------- Net Assets 100.0% $985,981,679 ===== ============= See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 28 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- @ Non-income producing security. (R) Restricted security. * Senior loans, while exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, contain certain restrictions on resale and cannot be sold publicly. These senior loans bear interest (unless otherwise noted) at rates that float periodically at a margin above the Prime Rate of a U.S. bank specified in the credit agreement, LIBOR, the certificate of deposit rate, or in some cases another base lending rate. NR Not Rated + Bank Loans rated below Baa by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. or BBB by Standard & Poor's Group are considered to be below investment grade. (1) The borrower filed for protection under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Federal bankruptcy code. (2) The borrower filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Federal bankruptcy code. (3) Loan is on non-accrual basis. (4) The borrower filed for protection under the Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. (5) For federal income tax purposes, the cost of investments is $1,890,986,340 and net unrealized depreciation consists of the following: Gross Unrealized Appreciation $ 20,940,900 Gross Unrealized Depreciation (201,440,865) -------------- Net Unrealized Depreciation $ (180,499,965) ============== See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 29 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSETS: Investments in securities at value (Cost $1,894,211,268) $ 1,710,486,375 Cash 867,088 Receivables: Interest 8,992,155 Other 141,879 Prepaid expenses 327,394 Prepaid arrangement fees on notes payable 270,810 --------------- Total assets 1,721,085,701 --------------- LIABILITIES: Notes payable 282,000,000 Deferred arrangement fees on senior loans 618,222 Accrued interest payable 517,066 Accrued preferred shares dividend payable 77,611 Payable to affiliates 1,378,362 Accrued expenses 512,761 --------------- Total liabilities 285,104,022 --------------- Preferred shares, $25,000 stated value per share at liquidation value (18,000 shares outstanding) 450,000,000 NET ASSETS $ 985,981,679 =============== Net asset value per common share outstanding (net assets divided by 136,972,914 common shares authorized and outstanding, par value $0.01) $ 7.20 =============== Net Assets Consist of: Paid in capital $ 1,287,948,209 Undistributed net investment income 8,856,756 Accumulated net realized loss on investments (127,098,393) Net unrealized depreciation of investments (183,724,893) --------------- Net assets $ 985,981,679 =============== See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 30 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS for the Year Ended February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INVESTMENT INCOME: Interest $ 134,792,818 Arrangement fees earned 1,659,184 Dividends 19,511 Other 3,172,692 ------------- Total investment income 139,644,205 ------------- EXPENSES: Interest 14,249,438 Investment management fees 14,838,307 Administration fees 4,637,682 Transfer agent and registrar fees 389,577 Reports to shareholders 160,000 Custodian fees 616,463 Revolving credit facility fees 272,990 Professional fees 745,114 Preferred shares -- dividend disbursing agent fees 1,182,556 Insurance expense 54,131 Pricing fees 102,585 ICI fees 10,472 Postage fees 253,500 Trustees' fees 68,000 Miscellaneous fees 167,728 NYSE Registration fees 141,916 ------------- Total expenses 37,890,459 ------------- Net investment income 101,753,746 ------------- REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS FROM INVESTMENTS: Net realized loss on investments (53,063,828) Net change in unrealized depreciation of investments (69,951,020) ------------- Net loss on investments (123,014,848) ------------- Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations $ (21,261,102) ============= See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 31 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Year Ended Year Ended February 28, February 28, 2002 2001 --------------- --------------- INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS: Net investment income $ 101,753,746 $ 121,538,218 Net realized loss on investments (53,063,828) (4,909,435) Change in unrealized depreciation of investments (69,951,020) (101,823,007) --------------- --------------- Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations (21,261,102) 14,805,776 --------------- --------------- DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: Distributions from net investment income: Common shares (85,728,945) (117,654,573) Preferred shares (15,273,093) (8,783,182) --------------- --------------- Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders (101,002,038) (126,437,755) --------------- --------------- CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: Common shares issued from dividend reinvestment 919,219 5,733,515 Common shares sold in connection with shelf offerings 87,513 1,236,107 Offering costs of preferred shares (194,010) (5,244,654) --------------- --------------- Net increase from capital share transactions 812,722 1,724,968 --------------- --------------- Net decrease in net assets (121,450,418) (109,907,011) NET ASSETS: Beginning of year 1,107,432,097 1,217,339,108 --------------- --------------- End of year (including undistributed net investment income of $8,856,756 and $7,032,048, respectively) $ 985,981,679 $ 1,107,432,097 =============== =============== SUMMARY OF COMMON SHARE TRANSACTIONS: Shares issued in payment of distributions from net investment income 114,904 666,982 Shares sold in connection with shelf offerings 10,939 143,928 --------------- --------------- Net increase in shares common shares outstanding 125,843 810,910 =============== =============== Gross proceeds from offering of prefered stock $ -- $ 450,000,000 SUMMARY OF PREFERRED SHARES SOLD: Series M -- 3,600 Series T -- 3,600 Series W -- 3,600 Series Th -- 3,600 Series F -- 3,600 --------------- --------------- Total preferred shares sold -- 18,000 =============== =============== See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 32 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the Year Ended February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INCREASE (DECREASE) in Cash Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Interest received $ 138,007,208 Dividends received 19,511 Facility fees paid (112,660) Arrangement fee received 1,229,435 Other income received 3,090,462 Interest paid (16,063,801) Other operating expenses paid (24,226,698) Purchases of portfolio securities (993,089,455) Proceeds from disposition of portfolio securities 1,217,901,206 --------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 326,755,208 --------------- Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Dividends paid to common shareholders (84,809,726) Cost incurred in offering of preferred shares (194,010) Dividends paid to preferred shareholders (15,457,176) Proceeds from common shares shelf offerings 87,513 Loan advance (228,000,000) --------------- Net cash flows used in financing activities (328,373,399) --------------- Net change in cash (1,618,191) Cash at beginning of year 2,485,279 --------------- Cash at end of year $ 867,088 =============== Reconciliation Of Net Decrease In Net Assets Resulting From Operations To Net Cash Used for Operating Activities: Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations $ (21,261,102) --------------- Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash used for operating activities: Change in unrealized depreciation of investments 69,951,020 Net accretion of discounts on investments (5,907,458) Realized loss on sale of investments 53,063,828 Purchase of investments (993,089,455) Proceeds on sale of investments 1,217,901,204 Decrease in interest receivable 9,121,850 Increase in other assets (82,230) Decrease in prepaid arrangement fees on notes payable 160,330 Decrease in prepaid expenses 63,165 Decrease in deferred arrangement fees on senior loans (429,749) Decrease in accrued interest payable (1,814,363) Decrease in payable to affiliates (241,311) Decrease in accrued expenses (680,521) --------------- Total adjustments 348,016,310 --------------- Net cash provided by operating activities $ 326,755,208 =============== Non-Cash Financing Activities: Reinvestment of common share dividends $ 919,219 See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 33 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For a common share outstanding throughout the period Years Ended February 28 or February 29, -------------------------------------------------- 2002 2001 2000 ------------- ------------- ------------- Per Share Operating Performance Net asset value, beginning of period $ 8.09 $ 8.95 $ 9.24 Net investment income 0.74 0.88 0.79 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (0.89) (0.78) (0.30) ------------- ------------- ------------- Increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations (0.15) 0.10 0.49 Distributions to Common Shareholders from net investment income (0.63) (0.86) (0.78) Distribution to Preferred Shareholders (0.11) (0.06) -- Increase in net asset value from share offerings -- -- -- Reduction in net asset value from rights offering -- -- -- Increase in net asset value from repurchase of capital stock -- -- -- Reduction in net asset value from Preferred Shares offerings -- (0.04) -- ------------- ------------- ------------- Net asset value, end of period $ 7.20 $ 8.09 $ 8.95 ============= ============= ============= Closing market price at end of period $ 6.77 $ 8.12 $ 8.25 Total Return(3) Total investment return at closing market price(4) (9.20)% 9.10% (5.88)% Total investment return at net asset value(5) (3.02)% 0.19% 5.67% Ratios/Supplemental Data Net assets end of period (000's) $ 985,982 $ 1,107,432 $ 1,217,339 Preferred Rate Shares Aggregate amount outstanding (000's) $ 450,000 $ 450,000 -- Liquidation and market value Per Share $ 25,000 $ 25,000 -- Asset coverage Per Share** 235% 215% -- Average borrowings (000's) $ 365,126 $ 450,197 $ 524,019 Ratios to average net assets including preferred* Expenses (before interest and other fees related to revolving credit facility) 1.57% 1.62% -- Expenses 2.54% 3.97% -- Net investment income 6.83%(A) 9.28% -- Ratios to average net assets plus bor- rowing Expenses (before interest and other fees related to revolving credit facility) 1.66% 1.31% 1.00%(9) Expenses 2.70% 3.21% 2.79%(9) Net investment income 7.24%(B) 7.50% 6.12% Ratios to average net assets Expenses (before interest and other fees related to revolving credit facility) 2.25% 1.81% 1.43%(9) Expenses 3.64% 4.45% 4.00%(9) Net investment income 9.79%(C) 10.39% 8.77% Portfolio turnover rate 53% 46% 71% Common shares outstanding at end of period (000's) 136,973 136,847 136,036 Years Ended February 28 or February 29, ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1999(8) 1998(8) 1997(8) 1996(7) ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Per Share Operating Performance Net asset value, beginning of period $ 9.34 $ 9.45 $ 9.61 $ 9.66 Net investment income 0.79 0.87 0.82 0.89 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (0.10) (0.13) (0.02) (0.08) ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations 0.69 0.74 0.80 0.81 Distributions to Common Shareholders from net investment income (0.82) (0.85) (0.82) (0.86) Distribution to Preferred Shareholders -- -- -- -- Increase in net asset value from share offerings 0.03 -- -- -- Reduction in net asset value from rights offering -- -- (0.14) -- Increase in net asset value from repurchase of capital stock -- -- -- -- Reduction in net asset value from Preferred Shares offerings -- -- -- -- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Net asset value, end of period $ 9.24 $ 9.34 $ 9.45 $ 9.61 ============= ============= ============= ============= Closing market price at end of period $ 9.56 $ 10.31 $ 10.00 $ 9.50 Total Return(3) Total investment return at closing market price(4) 1.11% 12.70% 15.04%(6) 19.19% Total investment return at net asset value(5) 7.86% 8.01% 8.06%(6) 9.21% Ratios/Supplemental Data Net assets end of period (000's) $ 1,202,565 $ 1,034,403 $ 1,031,089 $ 862,938 Preferred Rate Shares Aggregate amount outstanding (000's) -- -- -- -- Liquidation and market value Per Share -- -- -- -- Asset coverage Per Share** -- -- -- -- Average borrowings (000's) $ 490,978 $ 346,110 $ 131,773 $ -- Ratios to average net assets including preferred* Expenses (before interest and other fees related to revolving credit facility) -- -- -- -- Expenses -- -- -- -- Net investment income -- -- -- -- Ratios to average net assets plus bor- rowing Expenses (before interest and other fees related to revolving credit facility) 1.05%(9) 1.04% 1.13% -- Expenses 2.86%(9) 2.65% 1.92% -- Net investment income 6.00% 6.91% 7.59% -- Ratios to average net assets Expenses (before interest and other fees related to revolving credit facility) 1.50%(9) 1.39% 1.29% -- Expenses 4.10%(9) 3.54% 2.20% 1.23% Net investment income 8.60% 9.23% 8.67% 9.23% Portfolio turnover rate 68% 90% 82% 88% Common shares outstanding at end of period (000's) 130,206 110,764 109,140 89,794 ---------- (1) Annualized. (2) Prior to the waiver of expenses, the ratios of expenses to average net assets were 1.95% (annualized), 1.48% and 1.44% for the period from May 12, 1988 to February 28, 1989, and for the fiscal years ended February 28, 1990 and February 29, 1992, respectively, and the ratios of net investment income to average net assets were 8.91% (annualized), 10.30% and 7.60% for the period from May 12, 1988 to February 28, 1989, and for the fiscal years ended February 28, 1990 and February 29, 1992, respectively. (3) Total return calculations are attributable to common shareholders. (4) Total investment return measures the change in the market value of your investment assuming reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, in accordance with the provisions of the dividend reinvestment plan. On March 9, 1992, the shares of the Trust were initially listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Accordingly, the total investment return for the year ended February 28, 1993, covers only the period from March 9, 1992, to February 28, 1993. Total investment return for periods prior to the year ended February 28, 1993, are not presented since market values for the Trust's shares were not available. Total returns for less than one year are not annualized. (5) Total investment return at net asset value has been calculated assuming a purchase at net asset value at the beginning of each period and a sale at net asset value at the end of each period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions in accordance with the provisions of the dividend reinvestment plan. This calculation differs from total investment return because it excludes the effects of changes in the market values of the Trust's shares. Total returns for less than one year are not annualized. (6) Calculation of total return excludes the effects of the per share dilution resulting from the rights offering as the total account value of a fully subscribed shareholder was minimally impacted. See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 34 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Years Ended February 28 or February 29, -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- $ 10.02 $ 10.05 $ 9.96 $ 9.97 $ 10.00 $ 10.00 $ 10.00 0.74 0.60 0.60 0.76 0.98 1.06 0.72 0.07 (0.05) 0.01 (0.02) (0.05) -- -- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- 0.81 0.55 0.61 0.74 0.93 1.06 0.72 (0.73) (0.60) (0.57) (0.75) (0.96) (1.06) (0.72) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (0.44) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.02 0.05 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- $ 9.66 $ 10.02 $ 10.05 $ 9.96 $ 9.97 $ 10.00 $ 10.00 ============= ============= ============= ============= ============= ============= ============= $ 8.75 $ 9.25 $ 9.13 -- -- -- -- 3.27%(6) 8.06% 10.89% -- -- -- -- 5.24%(6) 6.28% 7.29% 7.71% 9.74% 11.13% 7.35% $ 867,083 $ 719,979 $ 738,810 $ 874,104 $ 1,158,224 $ 1,036,470 $ 252,998 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1.30% 1.31% 1.42% 1.42%(2) 1.38% 1.46%(2) 1.18%(1)(2) 7.59% 6.04% 5.88% 7.62%(2) 9.71% 10.32%(2) 9.68%(1)(2) 108% 87% 81% 53% 55% 100% 49%(1) 89,794 71,835 73,544 87,782 116,022 103,660 25,294 ---------- (7) ING Investments, LLC, the Trust's investment manager, acquired certain assets of Pilgrim Management Corporation, the Trust's former investment manager, in a transaction that closed on April 7, 1995. (8) The Manager agreed to reduce its fee for a period of three years from the Expiration Date of the November 12, 1996 Rights Offering to 0.60% of the average daily net assets, plus the proceeds of any outstanding borrowings, over $1.15 billion. (9) Calculated on total expenses before impact of earnings credits. * Ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to Preferred Shareholders; income ratios reflect income earned on assets attributable to preferred shares. ** Asset coverage represents the total assets available for settlement of Preferred Stockholder's interest and notes payables in relation to the Preferred Shareholder interest and notes payable balance outstanding. The Preferred Shares were first offered November 2, 2000. (A) Had the Trust not amortized premiums and accreted discounts, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets including preferred shares would have been 6.43% for the year ended February 28, 2002. (B) Had the Trust not amortized premiums and accreted discounts, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets plus borrowings applicable to common shares would have been 6.82% for the year ended February 28, 2002. (C) Had the Trust not amortized premiums and accreted discounts, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets applicable to common shares would have been 9.22% for the year ended February 28, 2002. See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements 35 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE 1 -- SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES ING Prime Rate Trust (formerly known as Pilgrim Prime Rate Trust, the "Trust"), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a diversified, closed-end, investment management company. The Trust invests in senior loans which are exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "`33 Act") but contain certain restrictions on resale and cannot be sold publicly. These loans bear interest (unless otherwise noted) at rates that float periodically at a margin above the Prime Rate of a U.S. bank specified in the credit agreement, the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), the certificate of deposit rate, or in some cases another base lending rate. The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. A. Senior Loan and Other Security Valuation. Loans are normally valued at the mean of the means of one or more bid and asked quotations obtained from a pricing service or other sources determined by the board to be independent and believed to be reliable. Loans for which reliable quotations are not available may be valued with reference to another loan or a group of loans for which quotations are more readily available and whose characteristics are comparable to the loan being valued. Under this approach, the comparable loan or loans serve as a proxy for changes in value. The Trust has engaged an independent pricing service to provide quotations from dealers in loans and to calculate values under the proxy procedure described above. It is expected that most of the loans held by the Trust will be valued with reference to quotations from the independent pricing service or with reference to the proxy procedure described above. ING Investments, LLC (formerly ING Pilgrim Investments, LLC, the "Investment Manager") may believe that the price for a loan derived from market quotations or the proxy procedure described above is not reliable or accurate. Among other reasons, this may be the result of information about a particular loan or borrower known to the Investment Manager that the Investment Manager believes may not be known to the pricing service or reflected in a price quote. In this event, the loan is valued at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by the Trust's Board of Trustees and in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act. Under these procedures, fair value is determined by the Investment Manager and monitored by the Trust's Board of Trustees through its Valuation Committee. In fair valuing a loan, consideration is given to several factors, which may include, among others, the following: (i) the charactistics of and fundamental analytical data relating to the loan, including the cost, size, current interest rate, period until the next interest rate reset, maturity and base lending rate of the loan, the terms and conditions of the loan and any related agreements, and the position of the loan in the borrower's debt structure; (ii) the nature, adequacy and value of the collateral, including the Trust's rights, remedies and interests with respect to the collateral; (iii) the creditworthiness of the borrower and the cash flow coverage of outstanding principal and interest, based on an evaluation of its financial condition, financial statements and information about the borrower's business, cash flows, capital structure and future prospects; (iv) information relating to the market for the loan, including price quotations for, and trading in, the loan and interests in similar loans; (v) the reputation and financial condition of the agent for the loan and any intermediate participants in the loan; (vi) the borrower's management; and (vii) the general economic and market conditions affecting the fair value of the loan. Securities for which the primary market is a national securities exchange or the NASDAQ National Market System are stated at the last reported sale price on the day of valuation. Debt and equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market and listed securities for which no sale was reported on that date are valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked price. Securities other than senior loans for which reliable quotations are not readily available and all other assets will be valued at their respective fair values as determined in good faith by, or under procedures established by, the Board of Trustees of the Trust. Investments in securities 36 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- maturing in less than 60 days from the date of acquisition are valued at amortized cost, which, when combined with accrued interest, approximates market value. B. Federal Income Taxes. It is the Trust's policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. At February 28, 2002, the Trust had capital loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $125,806,013 which are scheduled to expire through February 28, 2011. The Board of Trustees intends to offset any future net capital gains with the capital loss carryforwards until each carryforward has been fully utilized or expires. C. Security Transactions and Revenue Recognition. Loans are booked on a settlement date basis and security transactions are accounted for on trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains or losses are reported on the basis of identified cost of securities delivered. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis at the then current interest rate of the loan. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in the opinion of management, there is an indication that the borrower may be unable to meet payments as they become due. Upon such discontinuance, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed. Cash collections on nonaccrual senior loans are generally applied as a reduction to the recorded investment of the loan. Senior loans are returned to accrual status only after all past due amounts have been received and the borrower has demonstrated sustained performance. For all loans acquired prior to March 1, 2001, arrangement fees, which represent non-refundable fees associated with the acquisition of loans, are deferred and recognized over the shorter of 2.5 years or the actual terms of the loan. For all loans, except revolving credit facilities, acquired subsequent to February 28, 2001, arrangement fees are treated as discounts and accreted as described in Note 1.H. Arrangement fees associated with revolving credit facilities acquired subsequent to February 28, 2001 are deferred and recognized over the shorter of 4 years or the actual term of the loan. D. Distributions to Shareholders. The Trust records distributions to its shareholders on the ex-date. Distributions from income are declared by the Trust on a monthly basis. Distributions from capital gains, if any, are declared on an annual basis. The amount of distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for items such as the treatment of short term capital gains and the amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. These "book/tax" differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent that these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassifications. Distributions which exceed net investment income and net realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes but not for tax purposes are reported as distributions in excess of net investment income and/or realized capital gains. To the extent they exceed net investment income and net realized capital gains for tax purposes, they are reported as a tax return of capital. During the year ended February 28, 2002 the Trust reclassified $2,580,000 from undistributed net investment income to accumulated net realized loss on investments, to reflect the treatment of permanent book/tax differences. E. Dividend Reinvestments. Pursuant to the Shareholder Investment Program (formerly known as the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan), DST Systems, Inc., the Plan Agent, purchases, from time to time, shares of beneficial interest of the Trust on the open market to satisfy dividend reinvestments. Such shares are purchased only when the closing sale or bid price plus commission is less than the net asset value per share of the stock on the valuation date. If the market 37 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- price plus commissions is equal to or exceeds the net asset value, new shares are issued at the greater of (i) net asset value or (ii) the market price of the shares during the pricing period, minus a discount of 5%. F. Use of Estimates. Management of the Trust has made certain estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and contingencies to prepare these financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. Actual results could differ from these estimates. G. Share Offerings. During the year ended February 28, 1999, the Trust began issuing shares under various shelf registration statements, whereby the net proceeds received by the Trust from share sales may not be less than the greater of (i) the NAV per share or (ii) 94% of the average daily market price over the relevant pricing period. H. Change in Accounting Principle. In November 2000 the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (the "AICPA") issued a revised version of the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide for Investment Companies (the "Guide"). Effective March 1, 2001, the Fund adopted the provisions of the Guide and began amortizing premiums and accreting discounts on debt securities. Prior to March 1, 2001, the Trust had not amortized premiums nor accreted discounts. The cumulative effect of this accounting change had no impact on net assets of the Trust, but resulted in a $3,653,000 increase in the cost of securities and a corresponding $3,653,000 increase in net unrealized depreciation of investments, based on securities held by the Trust on March 1, 2001. The effect of this change during the year ended February 28,2002, was to increase net investment income by approximately $5,907,000, increase unrealized depreciation of investments by approximately $3,327,000 and increase net realized loss on investments by approximately $2,580,000. I. Reclassification. Under EITF Topic D-98, Classification and Measurement of Redeemable Securities, which was issued on July 19, 2001, preferred securities that are redeemable for cash or other assets are to be classified outside of permanent equity to the extent that the redemption is at a fixed or determinable price and at the option of the holder or upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the issuer. Subject to the guidance of the EITF, the Trust's preferred stock, which was previously classified as a component of net assets, has been reclassified outside of permanent equity (net assets) in the accompanying financial statements. Prior year amounts have also been reclassified to conform with this presentation. The impact of this reclassification creates no change to the net assets available to common shareholders. NOTE 2 -- INVESTMENTS For the year ended February 28, 2002, the cost of purchases and the proceeds from principal repayment and sales of investments, excluding short-term notes, totaled $993,089,455 and $1,217,901,206, respectively. At February 28, 2002, the Trust held senior loans valued at $1,644,669,913 representing 96.2% of its total investments. The market value of these assets is established as set forth in Note 1. 38 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The senior loans acquired by the Trust may take the form of a direct co-lending relationship with the corporate issuer, an assignment of a co-lender's interest in a loan, or a participation interest in a co-lender's interest in a loan. The lead lender in a typical corporate loan syndicate administers the loan and monitors collateral. In the event that the lead lender becomes insolvent, enters FDIC receivership or, if not FDIC insured, enters into bankruptcy, the Trust may incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment, or may suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. Additionally, certain situations may arise where the Trust acquires a participation in a co-lender's interest in a loan and the Trust does not have privity with or direct recourse against the corporate issuer. Accordingly, the Trust may incur additional credit risk as a participant because it must assume the risk of insolvency or bankruptcy of the co-lender from which the participation was acquired. Common and preferred stocks, and stock purchase warrants held in the portfolio were acquired in conjunction with senior loans held by the Trust. Certain of these stocks and warrants are restricted and may not be publicly sold without registration under the '33 Act, or without an exemption under the '33 Act. In some cases, these restrictions expire after a designated period of time after issuance of the stock or warrant. These restricted securities are valued at fair value as determined by the Board of Trustees by considering quality, dividend rate, and marketability of the securities compared to similar issues. In order to assist in the determination of fair value, the Trust will obtain quotes from dealers who periodically trade in such securities where such quotes are available. Dates of acquisition and cost or assigned basis of restricted securities are as follows: Date of Cost or Acquisition Assigned Basis ----------- -------------- American Blind and Wallpaper, Inc. -- Common 01/12/99 -- AM Cosmetics Corp. -- Common 06/08/99 $ 385,610 AM Cosmetics Corp. -- Preferred Stock 06/02/99 -- Autotote Systems, Inc. -- Option 02/26/97 -- Boston Chicken--Residual interest in Boston Chicken Trust 12/26/00 8,014,961 Breed Technologies -- Common 12/27/00 3,343,665 Capital Tool & Design -- Warrants 07/26/96 -- Casden Properties Corporation -- Preferred Partnership Units 12/31/98 -- Covenant Care, Inc. -- Warrants 12/22/95 -- Decision One Corporation -- Common 06/16/00 -- Electro Mechanical Solutions -- Warrants 06/20/00 -- Holmes Product Corporation -- Warrants 10/24/01 -- Imperial Home Decor Group -- Common 05/02/01 1,654,378 IHDG Realty -- Common 05/02/01 1 Morris Material Handling -- Common 01/10/01 3,009,059 MP Holdings, Inc. -- Common 03/14/01 6 New World Coffee Manhattan Bagel, Inc. -- Warrants 09/27/01 -- Murray's Discount Auto Stores, Inc. -- Warrants 02/16/99 -- Pacific Coin -- Common 07/09/01 1 Safelite Glass Corporation 09/12/00 -- Safelite Realty 09/12/00 -- Stellex Technologies, Inc. -- Common 10/17/01 275,767 Scientific Games Corp. -- Common 05/11/01 -- Soho Publishing, Inc. -- Common 03/14/01 176 Tartan Textiles Services, Series D Preferred Stock 07/17/01 2,227,655 Tartan Textiles Services, Series E Preferred Stock 07/17/01 2,333,852 Crown Paper, Inc. -- Conversion rights representing Tembec Common Shares 01/10/01 1,292,072 Vision Twenty-One -- Warrants 11/28/00 -- ----------- Total restricted securities excluding senior loans (market value of $32,989,460 was 3.3% of net assets at February 28, 2002) $22,537,203 =========== 39 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE 3 -- MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT The Trust has entered into an Investment Management Agreement with the Investment Manager, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ING Funds Services, LLC (formerly ING Pilgrim Group, LLC, the "Administrator"), to provide advisory and management services. The Investment Management Agreement compensates the Investment Manager with a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.80% of the Trust's average daily net assets (inclusive of preferred stock) plus borrowings ("Managed Assets"). The Trust has also entered into an Administration Agreement with the Administrator to provide administrative services and also to furnish facilities. The Administrator is compensated with a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Trust's average daily Managed Assets. At February 28, 2002, the Trust had the following amounts recorded in payable to affiliates on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities: Accrued Investment Accrued Administrative Management Fees Fees Total ------------------ ---------------------- ---------- $1,050,181 $328,181 $1,378,362 NOTE 4 -- COMMITMENTS The Trust has entered into both a 364 day and a five year revolving credit agreement, collateralized by assets of the Trust, to borrow up to $550 million from a syndicate of major financial institutions maturing July 15, 2003. Borrowing rates under these agreements are based on a fixed spread over LIBOR, the federal funds rate, or a commercial paper based rate. Prepaid arrangement fees for any unborrowed amounts are amortized over the term of the agreements. The amount of borrowings outstanding at February 28, 2002, was $282 million, at a weighted average interest rate of 2.2%. The amount of borrowings represented 16.4% of net assets plus borrowings at February 28, 2002. Average borrowings for the the year ended February 28, 2002 were $365,126,028 and the average annualized interest rate was 4.0%. As of February 28, 2002, the Trust had unfunded loan commitments pursuant to the terms of the following loan agreements: Airgate PCS, Inc. $ 2,737,459 Aladdin Gaming LLC 5,000,000 Alliance Data Systems Corp. 1,785,714 Aurora Foods 80,000 Boyd Gaming Corporation 2,155,819 Doshi Diagnostic 1,287,031 Express Scripts, Inc. 3,092,006 Huntsman Corporation 2,306,035 Insight Health Services Corp. 5,000,000 Key Energy Group, Inc. 2,107,757 Lamar Media Corporation 6,562,500 Levi Strauss & Co. 4,279,927 Murray's Discount Auto Stores, Inc. 998,749 Packaging Corporation of America 2,753,594 Palace Station Hotel and Casino 5,088,147 Rail America, Inc. 246,529 Riverwood International Corp. 4,491,667 Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc. 7,166,667 URS Corporation 4,971,429 Western Wireless 6,400,000 ----------- $68,511,030 =========== NOTE 5 -- RIGHTS AND OTHER OFFERINGS On October 18, 1996, the Trust issued to its shareholders non-transferable rights which entitled the holders to subscribe for 18,122,963 shares of the Trust's common stock at the rate of one share of common stock for each five rights held. On November 12, 1996, the offering expired and was fully subscribed. The Trust issued 18,122,963 shares of its common stock to exercising rights holders at a subscription price of $9.09. Offering costs of $6,972,203 were charged against the offering proceeds. 40 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On December 27, 1994, the Trust issued to its shareholders transferable rights which entitled the holders to subscribe for 17,958,766 shares of the Trust's common stock at the rate of one share of common stock for each four rights held. On January 27, 1995, the offering expired and was fully subscribed. The Trust issued 17,958,766 shares of its common stock to exercising rights holders at a subscription price of $8.12. Offering costs of $4,470,955 were charged against the offering proceeds. As of February 28, 2002, share offerings pursuant to shelf registrations were as follows: Registration Shares Shares Date Registered Remaining ------------ ---------- ---------- 6/11/98 15,000,000 -- 6/19/98 10,000,000 9,730,800 9/15/98 25,000,000 19,170,354 3/04/99 5,000,000 3,241,645 On November 2, 2000, the Trust issued 3,600 shares each of Series M, Series W and Series F Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares, $.01 Par Value, $25,000 liquidation preference, for a total issuance of $270 million. Also, on November 16, 2000, the Trust issued 3,600 shares of Series T and Series Th Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares, $.01 Par Value, $25,000, liquidation preference, for a total issuance of $180 million. All such Preferred Shares were outstanding as of February 28, 2001. Costs associated with the offering of approximately $5,438,664 were charged against the proceeds received. The Trust used the net proceeds of the offering to partially pay down the then existing indebtedness. The Trust may reborrow amounts in the future to increase its use of leverage which will be consistent with the limitations imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940. Preferred Shares pay dividends based on a rate set at auctions, normally held every 7 days. In the most instances dividends are also payable every 7 days, on the first business day following the end of the rate period. NOTE 6 -- CUSTODIAL AGREEMENT State Street Bank, Kansas City ("SSBKC") serves as the Trust's custodian and recordkeeper. Custody fees paid to SSBKC are reduced by earnings credits based on the cash balances held by SSBKC for the Trust. There were no earnings credits for the year ended February 28, 2002. NOTE 7 -- AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS During the year ended February 28, 2002, the Trust purchased and sold holdings in senior loans from/to affiliated funds managed by the Investment Manager at prices determined by the Investment Manager to represent market prices. The cost of purchased loans was $18,278,387 and the proceeds and cost of sold loans were $66,132,025 and $66,870,375, respectively, excluding any benefit to the Trust from the recognition of deferred arrangement fees. NOTE 8 -- SUBORDINATED LOANS AND UNSECURED LOANS The primary risk arising from investing in subordinated loans or in unsecured loans is the potential loss in the event of default by the issuer of the loans. The Trust may acquire a subordinated loan only if, at the time of acquisition, it acquires or holds a Senior Loan from the same borrower. The Trust will acquire unsecured loans only where the Investment Manager believes, at the time of acqusition, that the Trust would have the right to payment upon default that is not subordinate to any other creditor. The Trust may invest up to 5% of its total assets, measured at the time of investment, in subordinated loans and unsecured loans. As of February 28, 2002, the Trust held 2.7% of its total assets in subordinated loans and unsecured loans. 41 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS as of February 28, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE 9 -- SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Subsequent to February 28, 2002, the Trust paid to Common Shareholders the following dividends from net investment income: Per Share Amount Declaration Date Record Date Payable Date ---------------- ---------------- ----------- ------------ $ 0.0385 02/28/2002 03/11/2002 03/20/2002 $ 0.0385 03/28/2002 04/10/2002 04/18/2002 Subsequent to February 28, 2002, the Trust paid to Preferred Shareholders the following dividends from net investment income: Total Preferred Per Share Auction Record Payable Shares Amount Dates Dates Dates --------- --------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- Series M $ 53.08 03/04/02 to 04/08/02 03/11/02 to 04/15/02 03/12/02 to 04/16/02 Series T $ 54.54 03/05/02 to 04/10/02 03/12/02 to 04/16/02 03/13/02 to 04/17/02 Series W $ 55.28 03/06/02 to 04/10/02 03/13/02 to 04/17/02 03/14/02 to 04/18/02 Series Th $ 54.15 03/07/02 to 04/11/02 03/14/02 to 04/18/02 03/15/02 to 04/19/02 Series F $ 53.12 03/01/02 to 04/05/02 03/08/02 to 04/12/02 03/11/02 to 04/15/02 Management's Additional Operating Information (Unaudited) APPROVAL OF CHANGES IN INVESTMENT POLICIES At a Special Meeting of Trust Shareholders, held August 6, 1998, Shareholders approved changes in the Trust's fundamental investment policies which make available certain additional investment opportunities to the Trust, including (i) investing in loans in any form of business entity, as long as the loans otherwise meet the Trust's requirements regarding the quality of loans in which it may invest; (ii) the treatment of lease participations as Senior Loans which would constitute part of the 80% of the Trust's assets normally invested in Senior Loans; (iii) investing in all types of hybrid loans that meet credit standards established by the Investment Manager constituting part of the 20% of the Trust's assets that may be invested in Other Investments; (iv) the ability to invest up to 5% of its total assets in both subordinated loans and unsecured loans which would constitute part of the 20% of the Trust's assets that may be invested in Other Investments. Additionally, another policy change approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, which does not require shareholder approval, permits the Trust to accept guarantees and expanded forms of intangible assets as collateral, including copyrights, patent rights, franchise value, and trademarks. Another policy change approved by the Board, that does not require shareholder approval, provides that 80% of the Trust's gross assets, as opposed to 80% of its net assets, may normally be invested in Senior Loans. The Trust's Manager considered the evolving nature of the syndicated loan market and the potential benefits to the Trust and its shareholders of revising the restriction to permit the Trust to invest in loans other than Senior Loans and the increase in the number of attractive investment opportunities available to the Trust due to the change. REPURCHASE OF SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END COMPANIES In accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, and Rule 23c-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Trust may from time to time purchase shares of beneficial interest of the Trust in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions and/or purchase shares to correct erroneous transactions. SHAREHOLDER INVESTMENT PROGRAM The Trust offers a Shareholder Investment Program (the "Program") which enables investors to conveniently add to their holdings at reduced costs. Should you desire further information concerning this Program, please contact the Shareholder Servicing Agent at (800) 992-0180. 42 ING Prime Rate Trust -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Trust is required by Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to advise within 60 days of the Trust's fiscal year end (February 28, 2002) as to the federal tax status of distributions received by the Trust's shareholders. Accordingly, the Trust is hereby advising you that the following dividends were paid to Common Shareholders during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2002: Per Share Type of Dividend Amount Ex-Dividend Date Payable Date ---------------- -------- ---------------- ------------ Ordinary Income $ 0.0620 03/08/01 03/22/01 $ 0.0650 04/06/01 04/22/01 $ 0.0600 05/08/01 05/22/01 $ 0.0580 06/07/01 06/22/01 $ 0.0540 07/06/01 07/23/01 $ 0.0540 08/08/01 08/22/01 $ 0.0520 09/06/01 09/24/01 $ 0.0470 10/05/01 10/22/01 $ 0.0470 11/07/01 11/23/01 $ 0.0430 12/06/01 12/24/01 $ 0.0420 12/27/01 01/11/02 $ 0.0410 02/11/02 02/25/02 -------- Total $ 0.625 ======== The Trust is hereby advising you that the following dividends were paid to Preferred Shareholders during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2001: Total Preferred Type of Per Share Auction Record Payable Shares Dividend Amount Dates Dates Dates --------- --------------- --------- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- Series M Ordinary Income $834.08 3/5/01 to 2/25/02 3/12/01 to 3/4/02 3/13/01 to 3/5/02 Series T Ordinary Income $836.77 3/6/01 to 2/26/02 3/13/01 to 3/5/02 3/14/01 to 3/6/02 Series W Ordinary Income $854.68 2/28/01 to 2/27/02 3/7/01 to 3/6/02 3/8/01 to 3/7/02 Series Th Ordinary Income $854.51 3/1/01 to 2/28/02 3/8/01 to 3/7/02 3/9/01 to 3/8/02 Series F Ordinary Income $834.82 3/2/01 to 2/22/02 3/9/01 to 3/1/02 3/12/01 to 3/4/02 Corporate shareholders are generally entitled to take the dividend received deduction on the portion of the Trust's dividend distributions that qualify under tax law. The percentage of the Trust's fiscal year 2001 net investment income dividends that qualify for the corporate dividends received deductions is 0.02%. Shareholders are strongly advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Trust. In January 2002, you should have received an IRS Form 1099 DIV regarding the federal tax status of the dividends and distributions received by you in calendar year 2001. 43 INVESTMENT MANAGER ING Investments, LLC 7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-2034 ADMINISTRATOR ING Fund Services, LLC 7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-2034 1-800-992-0180 INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS AND ANALYSTS Call ING Prime Rate Trust 1-800-336-3436, Extension 2217 DISTRIBUTOR ING Funds Distributor, Inc. 7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-2034 1-800-334-3444 TRANSFER AGENT DST Systems, Inc. P.O. Box 219368 Kansas City, Missouri 64141-9368 CUSTODIAN State Street Bank and Trust Company 801 Pennsylvania Avenue Kansas City, Missouri 64105 LEGAL COUNSEL Dechert 1775 Eye Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS KPMG LLP 355 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles, California 90071 WRITTEN REQUESTS Please mail all account inquiries and other comments to: ING Prime Rate Trust Account c/o ING Fund Services, LLC 7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Road Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-2034 TOLL-FREE SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION Call us from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern time on any business day for account or other information, at 1-800-992-0180 A prospectus containing more complete information regarding the Trust, including charges and expenses, may be obtained by calling ING Funds Distributor, Inc., Distributor, at 1-800-992-0180. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. [LION LOGO] INF FUNDS PRTANN022802-042402