Wendy Nickerson

BlackRock Investment Management LLC (BIM) is a registered investment advisor headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey. The firm was founded in 1999 and is a subsidiary of Trident Merger LLC, ultimately held by BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK). BIM manages assets for institutional and high net worth clients, separate accounts, pooled investment vehicles and US registered investment companies. They also sponsor an SMA (wrap fee) program.

Founded in 1969, HSBC Securities (U.S.A.) Inc. is an SEC-registered brokerage firm and registered futures commission merchant located in New York City. The firm is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings, Inc. and their ultimate parent is HSBC Holdings Plc. (NYSE: HBC). HSBC Securities (U.S.A.) is a member of FINRA, the NYSE and the SIPC. Their securities and annuity products are provided by registered representatives and insurance agents of HSBC Securities (U.S.A.). In California, HSBC Securities (U.S.A.) conducts insurance business as HSBC Securities Insurance Services. Insurance products are offered through insurance agents of HSBC Insurance Agency (U.S.A.) Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Bank U.S.A. NA and an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc. The company also engages in investment banking underwriting, dealing and brokering of debt and equity securities and futures contracts and is a primary dealer in U.S. Government and federal agency securities.

Headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, Jefferson-Pilot Life Insurance Company (JP) underwrites universal life insurance, variable universal life insurance and term life insurance. Jefferson-Pilot Corporation (NYSE: JP) is the holding company for JP.

Part of UBS Group AG, UBS Asset Management, Inc. provides investment management services. The company is based in New York, NY.

Muzinich & Co., Inc. (Muzinich) is an independent, SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in New York City. The firm was founded by George Muzinich in 1988. Muzinich provides discretionary investment advice and management to various onshore and offshore (i) investment funds and (ii) separately managed accounts, either directly or as a subadvisor.