Corporate Issuers Rate Satisfaction with Shareholder Services Firms

PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Group Five, a consulting and corporate services research company, today announced the results of its annual study of corporate opinions of services provided by shareholder services firms. The annual study, which has been measuring client satisfaction since 1990, is based on the completed surveys of 1,000 corporations — representing over 32 million registered shareowners. The study provides the only reliable and independent forum for corporate clients to make their opinions and priorities known to service providers.

Overall client satisfaction with transfer agents decreased one percentage point from last year to 89% favorable. Annual meeting services remains the highest rated transfer agent service at 96% favorable, which is one percentage point lower than last year. Satisfaction with telephone service to shareholders is the lowest rated transfer agent service at 80%, a two percentage point decline from 2010.

Transfer Agent Services

Industry overall satisfaction for the four largest transfer agents is 89% favorable. Wells Fargo, Computershare, and American Stock Transfer all scored the highest rating of 91%. The Bank of New York Mellon, which is selling its shareholder services business to Computershare, received an 85% favorable rating.

Jack Sunday, CEO, Group Five pointed out, "The implementation of imaging and workflow processing combined with the service delivery of agents' web platforms has resulted in a significant decrease in the number of errors in transactions, which in turn leads to more satisfied clients."

"Computershare is pleased that our clients continue to report high satisfaction with our services across the board," said Jay McHale, President of US Equity Services for Computershare. "We are especially pleased to have received the top ratings in overall satisfaction as we value every client and work hard to ensure each one is completely satisfied."

Mark C. Healy, President and Chief Executive Officer of AST said, "We are pleased to receive the positive feedback in this year's survey. The high ratings reflect our strong client partnerships that are built on trust, service, and excellence. I am proud of our team for raising the industry performance bar every day and for their continued commitment to being the market leader."

Todd May, Head of Wells Fargo Shareowner Services said, "As a relationship-based company, Wells Fargo's commitment to expertly serving our clients and this industry remains steadfast. We are very pleased that this commitment continues to drive consistent client satisfaction."

Lost Shareholder Services

The study asked corporate clients to rate their satisfaction with the services of lost shareholder and asset reunification service providers. Of the four firms rated by corporate clients, Keane is highest rated with an 88% favorable rating. "I'm extremely proud of our first 'new Keane' number one rating,'' said CEO Mike O'Donnell, who also claimed the top ranking last year with Venio LLC. "The promise we make in our tagline is 'Uncompromising Performance' and it's a promise I take very seriously. This acknowledgement is important evidence that our employees are committed to serving our customers and to solving their shareholders' challenges every day."

Proxy Solicitation Services

Morrow and Co. is the highest rated proxy solicitor with a 98% favorable rating. Joe Morrow, CEO of Morrow and Co. said, "The Group Five results are extremely gratifying, especially as we begin our 40th season as a full-service proxy solicitation firm. These results reaffirm that our hiring and training programs continue to develop the best talent. This same effort is evident in our Market Intelligence, Shareholder Identification and Corporate Governance Consulting Services. We again extend our gratitude to our exceptional clients for taking the time out of their busy schedules to express their sentiment on the services we provide. It gives our firm the incentive to try even harder in the years to come."

Group Five is a consulting and customer research firm located in Princeton, New Jersey. The firm is best known for its consulting and research expertise in shareholder services and stock plan administration services.

No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in this release or Group Five survey results without the express prior written consent of Group Five, Inc.

www.groupfiveinc.com

SOURCE Group Five