AST Receives Highest Ratings for Overall Client Satisfaction and Loyalty in Group Five 2012 Survey

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (AST) announced today that it has received the highest ratings for overall client satisfaction and loyalty in the Group Five 2012 Shareholder Services Benchmarking Study.

“Our associates understand the importance of providing the highest level of service to customers in every interaction, and it is this commitment that has earned us the trust of our clients.”

The annual study, which has measured client satisfaction since 1990, is based on the completed surveys from 860 corporations which represent over 30 million registered shareowners. The study examines several service attributes, such as issuer and shareholder service, account management and online interfacing.

AST ranked highest in overall client satisfaction for account management support and service to issuers and shareholders. Keeping costs manageable for clients and continuously seeking ways to improve service offerings also earned AST the highest rating among transfer agents in the survey.

“I am so proud of the AST team for the exemplary marks we received in this year’s survey,” said Mark C. Healy, President and Chief Executive Officer of AST. “We strive to provide a world-class experience for our clients, and I am very pleased to receive the feedback from our clients acknowledging those efforts.”

In terms of technology and online features, AST’s issuer and shareholder websites were ranked highest for ease of use. AST was also rated highest for its quality of shareholder correspondence items and functionality of shareholder website.

“AST’s high scores in the Group Five survey exemplify its dedication to client relationships,” said Robert M. Carney, Sr., Chief Operating Officer of AST. “Our associates understand the importance of providing the highest level of service to customers in every interaction, and it is this commitment that has earned us the trust of our clients.”

About AST

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (AST) and its affiliates in the Link Group network are leading providers of registry services and technology to financial market participants in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, India, South Africa and the United Kingdom. AST and its partner, Canadian Stock Transfer Company Inc. (CST), form the North American division of the Link Group. Together, AST and CST provide comprehensive stock transfer and employee plan services to more than 8,000 public issues and over 5.5 million shareholders. The division serves clients located throughout North America and in over 22 foreign countries, ranging in size from initial public offerings to Fortune 100 companies.

AST was founded in 1971 and the organization has expanded beyond its core registry and equity plan solutions through strategic investments over the past two years. AST and CST provide fully integrated services that include corporate proxy solicitation and advisory solutions, information agent, mutual fund proxy solicitation and advisory solutions, fund administration, shareholder identification, asset recovery and investment management offerings including online retail brokerage.