CST-Sponsored Executive Advisory Council Launches Comprehensive Industry Study Addressing Needs of Shareholders and Corporations Across North America

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 26, 2013) - The Executive Advisory Council (EAC), an independent advisory group sponsored by CST Trust Company (CST) and affiliate American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (AST), announced today the launch of an in-depth research study of leading issuer executives across North America. The EAC Industry Study will provide meaningful insights into what investors and corporations need across the broad spectrum of shareholder and issuer services.

Recognized by issuers for its integrated service offering, CST acknowledged in 2011 the demand for a neutral industry group that could exchange ideas, explore relevant topics and bring to light the challenges issuers face from various perspectives. The EAC is comprised of executives from leading organizations who actively interact with issuer and shareholder service providers. The Council purposefully includes an array of industry experts, clients and non-clients of CST, ensuring an objective representation and diverse group of issuer executives covering the complete range of service needs across North America.

With the sponsorship of CST, the Council convenes throughout the year to attend educational sessions, share best practices and connect with industry and regulatory organizations. As its first large-scale industry endeavor, the group will formally kick-off the EAC Industry Study at the company's Executive Forum in Washington, D.C., in October 2013.

"I always seek knowledge that will help me stay in front of this changing business and my shareholder needs in Canada and the U.S.," remarked Terri Neville, EAC member and Assistant Vice President of Shareholder Services at Manulife Financial Corporation. "Attending EAC sessions have been meaningful, and I am particularly excited about an Industry Study that spans North America and includes the broad range of issuer and shareholder needs."

The EAC Industry Study will be open to qualified issuer executives across North America who use multiple services. The research will extend beyond transfer agency to include employee equity plan management, proxy solicitation, investor relations needs, corporate governance viewpoints, specialized shareholder advisory services and pertinent input from respondents.

Belinda Massafra, EAC member and President of Shareholder Services Consulting LLC, commented: "As an industry consultant and former IR executive, I am excited to finally introduce a comprehensive study of this magnitude - one that examines what issuers really need from a service perspective and uncovers meaningful and factual data in the current environment. The industry has experienced enormous change, and it's the right time to infuse the marketplace with the voices that matter."

Vincent McCabe, Inc., an independent research firm specializing in "voice of the industry" studies, will conduct the professional research aspects of the EAC Industry Study. Vincent McCabe President Jean Vincent has more than 30 years of experience in the financial sector and is adjunct professor of public relations research, measurement and evaluation at Syracuse University's prestigious S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

"The variety of professional experiences among EAC members brings a fresh and inclusive perspective on new ways to continually enhance the quality of our services, employee training and ultimately improve client satisfaction with issuers across all disciplines," noted Mark C. Healy, Chairman of CST. "Through our sponsorship of the EAC and this Industry Study, we will capture issuer and shareholder needs with data that better addresses the day-to-day challenges in the complex environment we are serving - today and in the years to come."

About CST and AST

CST Trust Company (CST) is part of the Link Group, an international network of providers of issuer and shareholder services. Headquartered in Toronto with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax, CST provides issuers with global solutions through local service. CST and its U.S. affiliate, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (AST), form the North American division of the Link Group. The division has more than 4,000 corporate relationships, ranging in size from initial public offerings to Fortune 100 companies, and serves approximately 5.5 million shareholders.

CST and AST provide fully integrated, comprehensive services including corporate proxy solicitation and advisory solutions, information agent, mutual fund proxy solicitation and advisory solutions, shareholder identification, asset recovery, and investment management offerings including online retail brokerage.