M&A - FIRST TRUST SPECIALTY FINANCE & FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Form Type: 8-K

Filing Date: 2025-06-30

Corporate Action: Merger

Type: New

Accession Number: 000144554625004410

Filing Summary: On June 30, 2025, First Trust Advisors L.P. announced the completion of the reorganization of First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE: FGB) into FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF (NYSE: FBDC). This change involved converting the closed-end management investment company into an actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF), which is still managed by First Trust Advisors L.P. and sub-advised by Confluence Investment Management LLC. The reorganization was finalized before the opening of the New York Stock Exchange on the same date.

Form Type: 8-K

Filing Date: 2025-06-06

Corporate Action: Merger

Type: New

Accession Number: 000144554625003942

Filing Summary: First Trust Advisors L.P. announced the reorganization of First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund into FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF. This reorganization is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and is expected to become effective immediately before the opening of the NYSE on June 30, 2025. The merged entity will operate as an actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF), managed by FTA and sub-advised by Confluence Investment Management LLC.

Form Type: 8-K

Filing Date: 2025-05-06

Corporate Action: Merger

Type: New

Accession Number: 000144554625003205

Filing Summary: Shareholders of First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund (FGB) have approved the reorganization of FGB with and into FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF, a newly formed series of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII (FBDC). The merger is subject to the satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions and is expected to close prior to the end of 2025, or as soon as practicable thereafter.

Form Type: 8-K

Filing Date: 2025-04-21

Corporate Action: Merger

Type: Update

Accession Number: 000144554625002812

Filing Summary: First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund ('FGB') is filing a Current Report on Form 8-K concerning the adjournment of its special meeting of shareholders originally scheduled for April 21, 2025. The meeting has been adjourned to allow additional solicitation of shareholders and to provide them more time to vote on the proposed reorganization of FGB into FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF ('FBDC'), a new series of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VIII. The reconvened meeting is set for May 5, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. central time at the offices of First Trust Advisors L.P. in Wheaton, Illinois. If shareholders approve the reorganization, it is expected to close before the end of 2025.

Form Type: 8-K

Filing Date: 2025-03-05

Corporate Action: Merger

Type: New

Accession Number: 000144554625001809

Filing Summary: First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund (FGB) has filed a report regarding the proposed reorganization with FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF. The press release issued by First Trust Advisors L.P. states that proxy materials for the reorganization have been mailed to shareholders. Shareholders of record as of January 10, 2025, are eligible to vote on this reorganization at a special meeting scheduled for April 21, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. Central time.