SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) September 27, 2002 ------------------------ NORTHERN TRUST CORPORATION -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 0-5965 36-2723087 --------------------------------- --------------------------------- (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) Fifty South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60675 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (312) 630-6000 --------------------------- Item 5. Other Events The information contained in the September 27, 2002 joint press release of the registrant and Deutsche Bank, reporting that they have signed a definitive agreement for the sale of Deutsche Bank's global passive equity, enhanced equity and passive fixed income business, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 99 hereto, is incorporated herein by reference. Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits (c) Exhibits: Exhibit 99 September 27, 2002 Press Release 2 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. NORTHERN TRUST CORPORATION -------------------------- (Registrant) Date: October 1, 2002 By: /s/ Perry R. Pero ------------------ Perry R. Pero Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer 3 EXHIBIT INDEX Number Description Page Number 99 September 27, 2002 Press Release 5 4