Western Asset Variable Rate Strategic Fund SC TO-I Issuer tender offer statement

EXHIBIT (a)(1)(ii)

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

TO ACCOMPANY SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

OR ORDER TENDER OF UNCERTIFICATED SHARES OF

WESTERN ASSET VARIABLE RATE STRATEGIC FUND INC.

TENDERED PURSUANT TO THE OFFER

DATED OCTOBER 22, 2015

THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 11:59 P.M.,

NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON NOVEMBER 20, 2015, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.

The Depositary for the Offer is:

AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC

Depository Address, by Mail or Overnight Courier:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company

Operations Center

Attn: Reorganization Department

6201 15^th Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11219

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES TENDERED
Name(s) and Addresses of Registered Holder(s): (Please Fill in, if Blank, Exactly as Name(s) Appear(s) on Certificate(s))	Shares Tendered*** (Attach Additional Signed Schedule if necessary)
	Certificate         Number(s)*	Total Number     of Shares Evidenced by     Certificates**	Number of     Shares Tendered	Dividend         Reinvestment         Shares Tendered
	Total Shares Tendered
*       Need not be completed by Stockholders who tender Shares by book-entry transfer. **     Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Shares evidenced by any certificates delivered to the Depositary are being tendered. See Instruction 5. ***  If the Shares being tendered are Shares held by the transfer agent pursuant to the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan, Stockholders should so indicate on page 3.

¨ I HAVE LOST MY CERTIFICATE(S) FOR SHARES OF STOCK OF THE FUND AND REQUIRE ASSISTANCE WITH RESPECT TO REPLACING SUCH CERTIFICATE(S). SEE INSTRUCTION 3.

THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, THE CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY, IS AT THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING STOCKHOLDER, AND EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN INSTRUCTION 2, THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY. IF DELIVERY

IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. THE STOCKHOLDER HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO CAUSE THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, CERTIFICATES AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE TIMELY DELIVERED.

This Letter of Transmittal is to be used (a) if certificates for Shares (as defined below) are to be forwarded herewith, or (b) if uncertificated Shares held by the Fund’s transfer agent pursuant to the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan are to be tendered, or (c) unless an Agent’s Message (as defined in Section 3 of the Fund’s Offer to Purchase) is utilized, if tenders are to be made by book-entry transfer to any of the accounts maintained by the Depositary at the Depository Trust Company (“DTC” or the “Book-Entry Transfer Facility”) pursuant to the procedure set forth in Section 3, “Procedure for Tendering Shares,” of the Fund’s Offer to Purchase. Stockholders whose certificates are not immediately available or who cannot deliver certificates for Shares (other than uncertificated Shares held by the Fund’s transfer agent pursuant to the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan) or deliver confirmation of the book-entry transfer of their Shares into the Depositary’s account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility and all other documents required hereby to the Depositary prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Termination Date, may nevertheless tender their Shares according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in Section 3, “Procedure for Tendering Shares,” of the Fund’s Offer to Purchase. See Instruction 2 below. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.

¨ CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE DEPOSITARY WITH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

Name of Tendering Institution:  

Account Number:   Transaction Code Number:  

If the tendered Shares are being tendered by a nominee holder on behalf of its customers, please state the

number of customer accounts for whose benefit the tender is made:

¨ CHECK HERE IF CERTIFICATES FOR TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

Name (s) of Registered Owner (s):  

Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:  

Name of Institution that Guaranteed Delivery:  

Account Number (if delivered by book-entry transfer):  

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NOTE:    SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW.

PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned hereby tenders to Western Asset Variable Rate Strategic Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Fund”), the shares of the Fund’s common stock $0.001 par value per share (the “Shares”) described below, at a price per Share, net to the seller in cash (the “Purchase Price”), equal to 98% of the net asset value in U.S. dollars (“NAV”) per Share at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on November 20, 2015, or such later date to which the Offer is extended, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Fund’s Offer to Purchase, dated October 22, 2015, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and this Letter of Transmittal (which, together with the Fund’s Offer to Purchase, constitute the “Offer”). The “Termination Date” of the Offer is 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on November 20, 2015. If the Fund, in its sole discretion, shall have extended the period for which the Offer is open, the “Termination Date” shall mean the latest time and date on which the Offer, as so extended by the Fund, shall expire.

Subject to, and effective upon, acceptance of payment for the Shares tendered herewith in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Fund all right, title and interest in and to all the Shares that are being tendered hereby and that are being accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer and irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Depositary the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to such Shares, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest) to (a) deliver certificates for such Shares or transfer ownership of such Shares on the account books maintained by the book-entry transfer facility, together, in either such case, with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to or upon the order of the Fund, upon receipt by the Depositary, as the undersigned’s agent, of the Purchase Price, (b) present such Shares for transfer on the books of the Fund, and (c) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Shares, all in accordance with the terms of the Offer.

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that, (a) the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the tendered Shares (and any and all dividends, distributions, other Shares or other securities or rights issued or issuable in respect of such Shares on or after the Termination Date); (b) when and to the extent the Fund accepts the Shares for purchase, the Fund will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges, proxies, encumbrances or other obligations relating to their sale or transfer, and not subject to any adverse claim; (c) on request, the undersigned will execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Depositary or the Fund to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the tendered Shares (and any and all dividends, distributions, other Shares or securities or rights issued or issuable in respect of such Shares on or after the Termination Date); and (d) the undersigned has read and agreed to all of the terms of the Offer.

All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of Transmittal shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives of the undersigned and shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned. Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Termination Date in accordance with Section 4, “Rights of Withdrawal,” of the Fund’s Offer to Purchase. After the Termination Date, tenders made pursuant to the Fund’s Offer to Purchase will be irrevocable.

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PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

NOTE:    SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW.

The undersigned understands that the valid tender of Shares pursuant to any one of the procedures described in Section 3, “Procedure for Tendering Shares,” of the Fund’s Offer to Purchase in the Instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Fund upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.

The undersigned recognizes that under certain circumstances set forth in the Offer, the Fund may not be required to purchase any of the Shares tendered hereby, or may accept for purchase fewer than all of the Shares tendered hereby.

Unless otherwise indicated herein under “Special Payment Instructions,” please return any certificates for Shares not tendered or accepted for payment (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) in the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appearing under “Description of Shares Tendered.” Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under “Special Delivery Instructions,” please return any certificates for Shares not tendered or accepted for (payment and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the address(es) of the registered holder(s) appearing under “Description of Shares Tendered.” In the event that either the Special Delivery Instructions or the Special Payment Instructions are completed, please return such certificates to the person or persons so indicated. The undersigned recognizes that the Fund has no obligation pursuant to the Special Payment Instructions to transfer any Shares from the name of the registered holder thereof if the Fund does not accept for payment any of the Shares so tendered. The undersigned further recognizes that the Special Payment Instructions and the Special Delivery Instructions are not applicable to Shares tendered by book-entry transfer nor to uncertificated Shares held by the Fund’s transfer agent pursuant to the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan, which Shares may be tendered hereby.

SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS (See Instruction 9)
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be issued in the name of and sent to someone other than the undersigned. Issue Certificate to:
Name
	(Please Print)
Address
(City, State, Zip Code)
Complete enclosed Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”)Form W-9 or an applicable IRS Form W-8
(Taxpayer Identification (Social Security) Number)

SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS (See Instruction 9)
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be issued in the name of the undersigned, but sent to someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an address other than that shown above. Issue Certificate to:
Name
	(Please Print)
Address
(City, State, Zip Code)

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SIGN HERE

(IMPORTANT: COMPLETE AND SIGN THE IRS FORM W-9 HEREIN OR AN APPLICABLE IRS FORM W-8)

(Signature(s) of Stockholder(s))

Dated:                                      , 2015

(Must be signed by the registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on certificate(s) for the Shares or on a security position listing or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by certificate(s) and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, agent, officer of a corporation or another person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please provide the following information. See instruction 6.)

Name(s) 

(Please Print)

Capacity (Full Title) 

Address 

City State Zip Code

Area Code and Telephone Number 

Employer identification or Social Security Number 

GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)

(See Instructions 1 and 6)

Authorized Signature(s) 

(Please Print)

Name of Firm 

Address 

City State Zip Code

Dated:  , 2015

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INSTRUCTIONS

Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Offer

1.Guarantee of Signatures. No signature guarantee on this Letter of Transmittal is required (i) if this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder of the Shares (which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of Shares) tendered herewith, unless such holder has completed either the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” or the box entitled “Special Payment Instructions” herein, or (ii) if such Shares are tendered for the account of a firm which is a broker, dealer, commercial bank, credit union, savings association or other entity and which is a member in good standing of a stock transfer association’s approved medallion program (such as STAMP, SEMP or MSP) (each being hereinafter referred to as an “Eligible Institution”). In all other cases, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 6.

2.Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and Certificates; Guaranteed Delivery Procedures. This Letter of Transmittal is to be used only (a) if certificates are to be forwarded herewith, (b) if uncertificated Shares held by the Fund’s transfer agent pursuant to the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan are to be tendered, or (c) unless an Agent’s Message (as defined in Section 3 of the Fund’s Offer to Purchase) is utilized, if tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer set forth in Section 3, “Procedure for Tendering Shares,” of the Fund’s Offer to Purchase. Certificates for all physically tendered Shares, or confirmation of a book-entry transfer in the Depositary’s account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility of Shares tendered by book-entry transfer, together, in each case, with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal or facsimile thereof with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent’s Message, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal should be mailed or delivered to the Depositary at the appropriate address set forth herein and must be received by the Depositary prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Termination Date (November 20, 2015). Stockholders whose certificates are not immediately available or who cannot deliver Shares and all other required documents to the Depositary prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Termination Date, or whose Shares cannot be delivered on a timely basis pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer prior to the Termination Date, may tender their Shares by or through any Eligible Institution by properly completing and duly executing and delivering a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (or facsimile thereof), which must be received by the Depositary prior to the Termination Date, and by otherwise complying with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in Section 3, “Procedure for Tendering Shares,” of the Fund’s Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to such procedures, the certificates for all physically tendered Shares, or confirmation of book-entry transfer, as the case may be, as well as a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal, which includes all required signature guarantees, or an Agent’s Message, and all other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal must be received by the Depositary within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as provided in Section 3, “Procedure for Tendering Shares,” of the Fund’s Offer to Purchase.

The term “Agent’s Message” means a message transmitted by the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to, and received by, the Depositary and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation, stating that the Book-Entry Transfer Facility has received an express acknowledgment from the participant tendering Shares through the Book-Entry Transfer Facility that the participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal and that the Fund may enforce that agreement against that participant.

THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, THE CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY, IS AT THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING STOCKHOLDER AND EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS INSTRUCTION, THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. THE STOCKHOLDER HAS THE

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RESPONSIBILITY TO CAUSE THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, CERTIFICATES AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE TIMELY DELIVERED.

No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted, except as may be permitted in the Fund’s Offer to Purchase. All tendering Stockholders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), waive any right to receive any notice of the acceptance for payment of Shares.

3.Lost Certificates. In the event that any Stockholder is unable to deliver to the Depositary the Fund certificate(s) representing his, her or its Shares due to the loss or destruction of such certificates, such fact should be included on the face of this Letter of Transmittal. In such case, the Stockholder should also contact the Depositary, at their numbers (718) 921-8317 or (877) 248-6417, to report the lost securities. The Depositary will forward additional documentation which such stockholder must complete in order to effectively surrender such lost or destroyed certificate(s) (including affidavits of loss and indemnity bonds in lieu thereof). There may be a fee in respect of lost or destroyed certificates, but surrenders hereunder regarding such lost certificates will be processed only after such documentation has been submitted to and approved by the Depositary.

4.Inadequate Space. If the space provided is inadequate, the certificate numbers and/or number of Shares should be listed on a separate, signed schedule attached hereto.

5.Partial Tenders and Unpurchased Shares. (Not applicable to Stockholders who tender by book-entry transfer.) If fewer than all the Shares evidenced by any certificate submitted are to be tendered, fill in the number of Shares which are to be tendered in the column entitled “Number of Shares Tendered.” In such case, a new certificate for the remainder of the Shares evidenced by the old certificate(s) will be issued and served to the registered holder, unless otherwise specified in the “Special Payment Instructions” or “Special Delivery Instructions” boxes in this Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable after the Termination Date. All Shares represented by certificates listed and delivered to the Depositary are deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.

6.Signatures on Letter of Transmittal; Stock Powers and Endorsements.

(a) If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with the name(s) on the face of the certificates.

(b) If any of the tendered Shares are held of record by two or more joint holders, ALL such holders must sign this Letter of Transmittal.

(c) If any tendered Shares are registered in different names on several certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many Letters of Transmittal as there are different registrations of certificates.

(d) If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsements of certificates or separate stock powers are required unless payment is to be made, or the certificates for Shares not tendered or purchased are to be issued, to a person other than the registered holder(s), in which case the endorsements or signatures on the stock powers, as the case may be, must be signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on the certificates. Signatures on such certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. See also Instruction 1.

(e) If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificates or stock powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, agents, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing and must submit proper evidence satisfactory to the Fund of their authority to so act.

(f) If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person(s) other than the registered holder(s) of the certificates listed and transmitted hereby, the certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the name or names of the registered holder(s) appear on the certificates. Signatures on such certificates of stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. See also Instruction 1.

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7.Stock Transfer Taxes. Except as set forth in this Instruction 7, no stock transfer tax stamps or funds to cover such stamps need accompany this Letter of Transmittal, and the Fund will pay all stock transfer taxes, if any, with respect to the transfer and sale of Shares to it pursuant to the Offer. If, however, payment of the Purchase Price is to be made to, or (in the circumstances permitted by the Fund’s Offer to Purchase) if Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be registered in the name of any person other than the registered holder, or if tendered certificates are registered in the name of any person other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of any stock transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or such other person) payable on account of the transfer to such person will be deducted from the Purchase Price unless satisfactory evidence of the payment of such taxes, or exemption therefrom, is submitted.

8.Tender of More Than 2,000,746 Shares.If more than 2,000,746 Shares are duly tendered prior to the expiration of the Offer (and not timely withdrawn), the Fund will purchase Shares from tendering stockholders, in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the Offer to Purchase, on a pro rata basis (disregarding fractions), in accordance with the number of Shares duly tendered by each Stockholder during the period the Offer is open (and not timely withdrawn), unless the Fund determines not to purchase any Shares.

9.Special Payment and Delivery Instructions. If certificates for Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be issued in the name of a person other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal or if such certificates are to be sent to someone other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal or to the person signing this Letter of Transmittal at an address other than that shown above, the boxes captioned “Special Payment Instructions” and/or “Special Delivery Instructions” on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed.

10.Irregularities. All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for payment of any tender of Shares will be determined by the Fund, in its sole discretion, which determination shall be final and binding. The Fund reserves the absolute right to reject any or all tenders of any particular Shares (i) determined by it not to be in proper form or (ii) the acceptance of or payment for which may in the opinion of the Fund’s counsel, be unlawful. The Fund also reserves the absolute right to waive any of the conditions of the Offer, in whole or in part, or any defect or irregularity in tender of any particular Shares or Stockholder, and the Fund’s interpretations of the terms and conditions of the Offer (including these instructions) shall be final and binding. No tender of Shares will be deemed to be properly made until all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived. None of the Fund, the Depositary, the Information Agent (as defined below) or any other person shall be obligated to give notice of defects or irregularities in tenders, nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give any such notice unless waived, any defects or irregularities must be cured within such time as the Fund shall determine.

11.Requests for Assistance and Additional Copies. Requests for assistance should be directed to, and additional copies of the Fund’s Offer to Purchase, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and this Letter of Transmittal may be obtained from, the Information Agent at the telephone number set forth at the end of this Letter of Transmittal or from your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company, or other nominee. The Information Agent will also provide Stockholders, upon request, with an applicable IRS Form W-8.

12.Backup Withholding. Each Stockholder that desires to participate in the Offer must, unless an exemption applies, provide the Depositary with the stockholder’s taxpayer identification number on the IRS Form W-9 set forth in this Letter of Transmittal with the required certifications being made under penalties of perjury. If the Stockholder is an individual, the taxpayer identification number is his or her social security number. If the Depositary is not provided with the correct taxpayer identification number, the Stockholder may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the IRS in addition to being subject to backup withholding.

Stockholders are required to give the Depositary the taxpayer identification number of the record owner of the Shares by completing the IRS Form W-9 included with this Letter of Transmittal. If the Shares are registered in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the instructions to the IRS Form W-9 for guidance on which number to report.

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If backup withholding applies, the Depositary is required to withhold 28% of any payment made to the Stockholder with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Certain Stockholders (including, among others, most corporations and certain foreign persons) are exempt from backup withholding requirements. To qualify as an exempt recipient on the basis of foreign status, a Stockholder must submit a properly completed Form W-8 (generally, a Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI), signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that person’s exempt status. However, foreign persons may be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the gross proceeds they receive pursuant to the Offer (even if an IRS Form W-8 is submitted), as discussed in Section 8 of the Offer to Purchase.

A STOCKHOLDER SHOULD CONSULT HIS OR HER TAX ADVISOR AS TO HIS OR HER QUALIFICATION FOR EXEMPTION FROM THE BACKUP WITHHOLDING REQUIREMENTS AND THE PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING AN EXEMPTION.

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Form W-9 Request for Taxpayer Give Form to the (Rev. December 2014) Identification Number and Certification requester. Do not
Department of the Treasury send to the IRS. Internal Revenue Service
1 Name (as shown on your income tax return). Name is required on this line; do not leave this line blank.
2 Business name/disregarded entity name, if different from above
2. page 3 Check appropriate box for federal tax classification; check only one of the following seven boxes: 4 Exemptions (codes apply only to on certain entities, not individuals; see Individual/sole proprietor or C Corporation S Corporation Partnership Trust/estate instructions on page 3): single-member LLC
Exempt payee code (if any) type Limited liability company. Enter the tax classification (C=C corporation, S=S corporation, P=partnership) or Note. For a single-member LLC that is disregarded, do not check LLC; check the appropriate box in the line above for Exemption from FATCA reporting Instructions the tax classification of the single-member owner. code (if any)
(Applies to accounts maintained outside the U.S.)
Print Other (see instructions)
Specific 5 Address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.) Requester’s name and address (optional) See 6 City, state, and ZIP code
7 List account number(s) here (optional)
Part I Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. The TIN provided must match the name given on line 1 to avoid Social security number backup withholding. For individuals, this is generally your social security number (SSN). However, for a resident alien, sole proprietor, or disregarded entity, see the Part I instructions on page 3. For other – –entities, it is your employer identification number (EIN). If you do not have a number, see How to get a TIN on page 3. or Note. If the account is in more than one name, see the instructions for line 1 and the chart on page 4 for Employer identification number guidelines on whose number to enter. –
Part II Certification
Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
1. The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me); and
2. I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding; and
3. I am a U.S. citizen or other U.S. person (defined below); and
4. The FATCA code(s) entered on this form (if any) indicating that I am exempt from FATCA reporting is correct.
Certification instructions. You must cross out item 2 above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding because you have failed to report all interest and dividends on your tax return. For real estate transactions, item 2 does not apply. For mortgage interest paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, contributions to an individual retirement arrangement (IRA), and generally, payments other than interest and dividends, you are not required to sign the certification, but you must provide your correct TIN. See the instructions on page 3.
Sign Signature of
Here U.S. person Date
General Instructions • Form 1098 (home mortgage interest), 1098-E (student loan interest), 1098-T (tuition) Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted. • Form 1099-C (canceled debt) Future developments. Information about developments affecting Form W-9 (such • Form 1099-A (acquisition or abandonment of secured property) as legislation enacted after we release it) is at www.irs.gov/fw9. Use Form W-9 only if you are a U.S. person (including a resident alien), to Purpose of Form provide your correct TIN.
An individual or entity (Form W-9 requester) who is required to file an information If you do not return Form W-9 to the requester with a TIN, you might be subject return with the IRS must obtain your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) to backup withholding. See What is backup withholding? on page 2. which may be your social security number (SSN), individual taxpayer identification By signing the filled-out form, you: number (ITIN), adoption taxpayer identification number (ATIN), or employer
1. Certify that the TIN you are giving is correct (or you are waiting for a number identification number (EIN), to report on an information return the amount paid to to be issued), you, or other amount reportable on an information return. Examples of information 2. Certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, or returns include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Form 1099-INT (interest earned or paid) 3. Claim exemption from backup withholding if you are a U.S. exempt payee. If applicable, you are also certifying that as a U.S. person, your allocable share of
• Form 1099-DIV (dividends, including those from stocks or mutual funds) any partnership income from a U.S. trade or business is not subject to the
• Form 1099-MISC (various types of income, prizes, awards, or gross proceeds) withholding tax on foreign partners’ share of effectively connected income, and
• Form 1099-B (stock or mutual fund sales and certain other transactions by 4. Certify that FATCA code(s) entered on this form (if any) indicating that you are brokers) exempt from the FATCA reporting, is correct. See What is FATCA reporting? on
• Form 1099-S (proceeds from real estate transactions) page 2 for further information.
• Form 1099-K (merchant card and third party network transactions)
Cat. No. 10231X Form W-9 (Rev. 12-2014)

Form W-9 (Rev. 12-2014) Page 2

Note. If you are a U.S. person and a requester gives you a form other than Form W-9 to request your TIN, you must use the requester’s form if it is substantially similar to this Form W-9.

Definition of a U.S. person. For federal tax purposes, you are considered a U.S. person if you are:

● An individual who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien;

● A partnership, corporation, company, or association created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States;

● An estate (other than a foreign estate); or

● A domestic trust (as defined in Regulations section 301.7701-7).

Special rules for partnerships. Partnerships that conduct a trade or business in the United States are generally required to pay a withholding tax under section 1446 on any foreign partners’ share of effectively connected taxable income from such business. Further, in certain cases where a Form W-9 has not been received, the rules under section 1446 require a partnership to presume that a partner is a foreign person, and pay the section 1446 withholding tax. Therefore, if you are a U.S. person that is a partner in a partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States, provide Form W-9 to the partnership to establish your U.S. status and avoid section 1446 withholding on your share of partnership income.

In the cases below, the following person must give Form W-9 to the partnership for purposes of establishing its U.S. status and avoiding withholding on its allocable share of net income from the partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States:

● In the case of a disregarded entity with a U.S. owner, the U.S. owner of the disregarded entity and not the entity;

● In the case of a grantor trust with a U.S. grantor or other U.S. owner, generally, the U.S. grantor or other U.S. owner of the grantor trust and not the trust; and

● In the case of a U.S. trust (other than a grantor trust), the U.S. trust (other than a grantor trust) and not the beneficiaries of the trust.

Foreign person. If you are a foreign person or the U.S. branch of a foreign bank that has elected to be treated as a U.S. person, do not use Form W-9. Instead, use the appropriate Form W-8 or Form 8233 (see Publication 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities).

Nonresident alien who becomes a resident alien. Generally, only a nonresident alien individual may use the terms of a tax treaty to reduce or eliminate U.S. tax on certain types of income. However, most tax treaties contain a provision known as a “saving clause.” Exceptions specified in the saving clause may permit an exemption from tax to continue for certain types of income even after the payee has otherwise become a U.S. resident alien for tax purposes.

If you are a U.S. resident alien who is relying on an exception contained in the saving clause of a tax treaty to claim an exemption from U.S. tax on certain types of income, you must attach a statement to Form W-9 that specifies the following five items:

1. The treaty country. Generally, this must be the same treaty under which you claimed exemption from tax as a nonresident alien.

2. The treaty article addressing the income.

3. The article number (or location) in the tax treaty that contains the saving clause and its exceptions.

4. The type and amount of income that qualifies for the exemption from tax.

5. Sufficient facts to justify the exemption from tax under the terms of the treaty article.

Example. Article 20 of the U.S.-China income tax treaty allows an exemption from tax for scholarship income received by a Chinese student temporarily present in the United States. Under U.S. law, this student will become a resident alien for tax purposes if his or her stay in the United States exceeds 5 calendar years. However, paragraph 2 of the first Protocol to the U.S.-China treaty (dated April 30, 1984) allows the provisions of Article 20 to continue to apply even after the Chinese student becomes a resident alien of the United States. A Chinese student who qualifies for this exception (under paragraph 2 of the first protocol) and is relying on this exception to claim an exemption from tax on his or her scholarship or fellowship income would attach to Form W-9 a statement that includes the information described above to support that exemption.

If you are a nonresident alien or a foreign entity, give the requester the appropriate completed Form W-8 or Form 8233.

Backup Withholding

What is backup withholding? Persons making certain payments to you must under certain conditions withhold and pay to the IRS 28% of such payments. This is called “backup withholding.” Payments that may be subject to backup withholding include interest, tax-exempt interest, dividends, broker and barter exchange transactions, rents, royalties, nonemployee pay, payments made in settlement of payment card and third party network transactions, and certain payments from fishing boat operators. Real estate transactions are not subject to backup withholding.

You will not be subject to backup withholding on payments you receive if you give the requester your correct TIN, make the proper certifications, and report all your taxable interest and dividends on your tax return.

Payments you receive will be subject to backup withholding if:

1. You do not furnish your TIN to the requester,

2. You do not certify your TIN when required (see the Part II instructions on page 3 for details),

3. The IRS tells the requester that you furnished an incorrect TIN,

4. The IRS tells you that you are subject to backup withholding because you did not report all your interest and dividends on your tax return (for reportable interest and dividends only), or

5. You do not certify to the requester that you are not subject to backup withholding under 4 above (for reportable interest and dividend accounts opened after 1983 only).

Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding. SeeExempt payee code on page 3 and the separate Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9 for more information.

Also seeSpecial rules for partnerships above.

What is FATCA reporting?

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires a participating foreign financial institution to report all United States account holders that are specified United States persons. Certain payees are exempt from FATCA reporting. SeeExemption from FATCA reporting code on page 3 and the Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9 for more information.

Updating Your Information

You must provide updated information to any person to whom you claimed to be an exempt payee if you are no longer an exempt payee and anticipate receiving reportable payments in the future from this person. For example, you may need to provide updated information if you are a C corporation that elects to be an S corporation, or if you no longer are tax exempt. In addition, you must furnish a new Form W-9 if the name or TIN changes for the account; for example, if the grantor of a grantor trust dies.

Penalties

Failure to furnish TIN.If you fail to furnish your correct TIN to a requester, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.

Civil penalty for false information with respect to withholding. If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis that results in no backup withholding, you are subject to a $500 penalty.

Criminal penalty for falsifying information. Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.

Misuse of TINs. If the requester discloses or uses TINs in violation of federal law, the requester may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

Specific Instructions

Line 1

You must enter one of the following on this line; do not leave this line blank. The name should match the name on your tax return.

If this Form W-9 is for a joint account, list first, and then circle, the name of the person or entity whose number you entered in Part I of Form W-9.

a.Individual. Generally, enter the name shown on your tax return. If you have changed your last name without informing the Social Security Administration (SSA) of the name change, enter your first name, the last name as shown on your social security card, and your new last name.

Note. ITIN applicant: Enter your individual name as it was entered on your Form W-7 application, line 1a. This should also be the same as the name you entered on the Form 1040/1040A/1040EZ you filed with your application.

b.Sole proprietor or single-member LLC. Enter your individual name as shown on your 1040/1040A/1040EZ on line 1. You may enter your business, trade, or “doing business as” (DBA) name on line 2.

c.Partnership, LLC that is not a single-member LLC, C Corporation, or S Corporation. Enter the entity’s name as shown on the entity’s tax return on line 1 and any business, trade, or DBA name on line 2.

d.Other entities. Enter your name as shown on required U.S. federal tax documents on line 1. This name should match the name shown on the charter or other legal document creating the entity. You may enter any business, trade, or DBA name on line 2.

e.Disregarded entity.For U.S. federal tax purposes, an entity that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner is treated as a “disregarded entity.” See Regulations section 301.7701-2(c)(2)(iii). Enter the owner’s name on line 1. The name of the entity entered on line 1 should never be a disregarded entity. The name on line 1 should be the name shown on the income tax return on which the income should be reported. For example, if a foreign LLC that is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal tax purposes has a single owner that is a U.S. person, the U.S. owner’s name is required to be provided on line 1. If the direct owner of the entity is also a disregarded entity, enter the first owner that is not disregarded for federal tax purposes. Enter the disregarded entity’s name on line 2, “Business name/disregarded entity name.” If the owner of the disregarded entity is a foreign person, the owner must complete an appropriate Form W-8 instead of a Form W-9. This is the case even if the foreign person has a U.S. TIN.

Form W-9 (Rev. 12-2014) Page 3

Line 2

If you have a business name, trade name, DBA name, or disregarded entity name, you may enter it on line 2.

Line 3

Check the appropriate box in line 3 for the U.S. federal tax classification of the person whose name is entered on line 1. Check only one box in line 3.

Limited Liability Company (LLC). If the name on line 1 is an LLC treated as a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes, check the “Limited Liability Company” box and enter “P” in the space provided. If the LLC has filed Form 8832 or 2553 to be taxed as a corporation, check the “Limited Liability Company” box and in the space provided enter “C” for C corporation or “S” for S corporation. If it is a single-member LLC that is a disregarded entity, do not check the “Limited Liability Company” box; instead check the first box in line 3 “Individual/sole proprietor or single-member LLC.”

Line 4, Exemptions

If you are exempt from backup withholding and/or FATCA reporting, enter in the appropriate space in line 4 any code(s) that may apply to you.

Exempt payee code.

● Generally, individuals (including sole proprietors) are not exempt from backup withholding.

● Except as provided below, corporations are exempt from backup withholding for certain payments, including interest and dividends.

● Corporations are not exempt from backup withholding for payments made in settlement of payment card or third party network transactions.

● Corporations are not exempt from backup withholding with respect to attorneys’ fees or gross proceeds paid to attorneys, and corporations that provide medical or health care services are not exempt with respect to payments reportable on Form 1099-MISC.

The following codes identify payees that are exempt from backup withholding. Enter the appropriate code in the space in line 4.

1—An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), any IRA, or a custodial account under section 403(b)(7) if the account satisfies the requirements of section 401(f)(2)

2—The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities

3—A state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. commonwealth or possession, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities

4—A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities

5—A corporation

6—A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. commonwealth or possession

7—A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission

8—A real estate investment trust

9—An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940

10—A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a)

11—A financial institution

12—A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian

13—A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947

The following chart shows types of payments that may be exempt from backup withholding. The chart applies to the exempt payees listed above, 1 through 13.

IF the payment is for . . .	THEN the payment is exempt for . . .
Interest and dividend payments	All exempt payees except for 7
Broker transactions	Exempt payees 1 through 4 and 6 through 11 and all C corporations. S corporations must not enter an exempt payee code because they are exempt only for sales of noncovered securities acquired prior to 2012.
Barter exchange transactions and patronage dividends	Exempt payees 1 through 4
Payments over $600 required to be reported and direct sales over $5,0001	Generally, exempt payees 1 through 52
Payments made in settlement of payment card or third party network transactions	Exempt payees 1 through 4

¹ See Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, and its instructions.

² However, the following payments made to a corporation and reportable on Form 1099-MISC are not exempt from backup withholding: medical and health care payments, attorneys’ fees, gross proceeds paid to an attorney reportable under section 6045(f), and payments for services paid by a federal executive agency.

Exemption from FATCA reporting code. The following codes identify payees that are exempt from reporting under FATCA. These codes apply to persons submitting this form for accounts maintained outside of the United States by certain foreign financial institutions. Therefore, if you are only submitting this form for an account you hold in the United States, you may leave this field blank. Consult with the person requesting this form if you are uncertain if the financial institution is subject to these requirements. A requester may indicate that a code is not required by providing you with a Form W-9 with “Not Applicable” (or any similar indication) written or printed on the line for a FATCA exemption code.

A—An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a) or any individual retirement plan as defined in section 7701(a)(37)

B—The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities

C—A state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. commonwealth or possession, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities

D—A corporation the stock of which is regularly traded on one or more established securities markets, as described in Regulations section 1.1472-1(c)(1)(i)

E—A corporation that is a member of the same expanded affiliated group as a corporation described in Regulations section 1.1472-1(c)(1)(i)

F—A dealer in securities, commodities, or derivative financial instruments (including notional principal contracts, futures, forwards, and options) that is registered as such under the laws of the United States or any state

G—A real estate investment trust

H—A regulated investment company as defined in section 851 or an entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940

I—A common trust fund as defined in section 584(a)

J—A bank as defined in section 581

K—A broker

L—A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947(a)(1)

M—A tax exempt trust under a section 403(b) plan or section 457(g) plan

Note. You may wish to consult with the financial institution requesting this form to determine whether the FATCA code and/or exempt payee code should be completed.

Line 5

Enter your address (number, street, and apartment or suite number). This is where the requester of this Form W-9 will mail your information returns.

Line 6

Enter your city, state, and ZIP code.

Part I. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. If you are a resident alien and you do not have and are not eligible to get an SSN, your TIN is your IRS individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Enter it in the social security number box. If you do not have an ITIN, seeHow to geta TIN below.

If you are a sole proprietor and you have an EIN, you may enter either your SSN or EIN. However, the IRS prefers that you use your SSN.

If you are a single-member LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner (seeLimited Liability Company(LLC) on this page), enter the owner’s SSN (or EIN, if the owner has one). Do not enter the disregarded entity’s EIN. If the LLC is classified as a corporation or partnership, enter the entity’s EIN.

Note. See the chart on page 4 for further clarification of name and TIN combinations.

How to get a TIN. If you do not have a TIN, apply for one immediately. To apply for an SSN, get Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, from your local SSA office or get this form online atwww.ssa.gov. You may also get this form by calling 1-800-772-1213. Use Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, to apply for an ITIN, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, to apply for an EIN. You can apply for an EIN online by accessing the IRS website atwww.irs.gov/businessesand clicking on Employer Identification Number (EIN) under Starting a Business. You can get Forms W-7 and SS-4 from the IRS by visiting IRS.gov or by calling1-800-TAX-FORM(1-800-829-3676).

If you are asked to complete Form W-9 but do not have a TIN, apply for a TIN and write “Applied For” in the space for the TIN, sign and date the form, and give it to the requester. For interest and dividend payments, and certain payments made with respect to readily tradable instruments, generally you will have 60 days to get a TIN and give it to the requester before you are subject to backup withholding on payments. The 60-day rule does not apply to other types of payments. You will be subject to backup withholding on all such payments until you provide your TIN to the requester.

Note. Entering “Applied For” means that you have already applied for a TIN or that you intend to apply for one soon.

Caution:A disregarded U.S. entity that has a foreign owner must use the appropriate Form W-8.

Form W-9 (Rev. 12-2014) Page 4

Part II. Certification

To establish to the withholding agent that you are a U.S. person, or resident alien, sign Form W-9. You may be requested to sign by the withholding agent even if items 1, 4, or 5 below indicate otherwise.

For a joint account, only the person whose TIN is shown in Part I should sign (when required). In the case of a disregarded entity, the person identified on line 1 must sign. Exempt payees, seeExempt payee code earlier.

Signature requirements. Complete the certification as indicated in items 1 through 5 below.

1. Interest, dividend, and barter exchange accounts opened before 1984 and broker accounts considered active during 1983. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.

2. Interest, dividend, broker, and barter exchange accounts opened after 1983 and broker accounts considered inactive during 1983.You must sign the certification or backup withholding will apply. If you are subject to backup withholding and you are merely providing your correct TIN to the requester, you must cross out item 2 in the certification before signing the form.

3. Real estate transactions. You must sign the certification. You may cross out item 2 of the certification.

4. Other payments. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification unless you have been notified that you have previously given an incorrect TIN. “Other payments” include payments made in the course of the requester’s trade or business for rents, royalties, goods (other than bills for merchandise), medical and health care services (including payments to corporations), payments to a nonemployee for services, payments made in settlement of payment card and third party network transactions, payments to certain fishing boat crew members and fishermen, and gross proceeds paid to attorneys (including payments to corporations).

5. Mortgage interest paid by you, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, qualified tuition program payments (under section 529), IRA, Coverdell ESA, ArcherMSA or HSA contributions or distributions, and pension distributions. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.

What Name and Number To Give the Requester

For this type of account:			Give name and SSN of:
	1.	Individual	The individual
	2.	Two or more individuals (joint account)	The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first individual on the account1
	3.	Custodianaccount of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act)	The minor2
	4.	a.   The usual revocable savings trust (grantor is also trustee) b.   So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust understate law	The grantor-trustee1 The actual owner1
	5.	Sole proprietorship or disregarded entity owned by an individual	The owner3
	6.	Grantor trust filing under Optional Form 1099 Filing Method 1 (see Regulations section1.671-4(b)(2)(i) (A))	The grantor*
For this type of account:			Give name and EIN of:
	7.	Disregarded entity not owned by an individual	The owner
	8.	A valid trust, estate, or pension trust	Legal entity4
	9.	Corporation or LLC electing corporate status on Form 8832 or Form 2553	The corporation
	10.	Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other tax-exempt organization	The organization
	11.	Partnership or multi-member LLC	The partnership
	12.	A broker or registered nominee	The broker or nominee
	13.	Account with the Department of Agriculture in the name of a public entity (such as a state or local government, school district, or prison) that receives agricultural program payments	The public entity
	14.	Grantor trust filing under the Form 1041 Filing Method or the Optional Form 1099 Filing Method 2 (see Regulations section1.671-4(b)(2)(i) (B))	The trust

¹ List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If only one person on ajoint account has an SSN, that person’s number must be furnished.

² Circle the minor’s name and furnish the minor’s SSN.

³ You must show your individual name and you may also enter your business or DBA name on the “Business name/disregarded entity” name line. You may use either your SSN or EIN (if you have one), but the IRS encourages you to use your SSN.

⁴ List first and circle the name of the trust, estate, or pension trust. (Do not furnish the TIN of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title.) Also seeSpecial rules for partnerships on page 2.

* Note. Grantor also must provide a Form W-9 to trustee of trust.

Note. If no name is circled when more than one name is listed, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed.

Secure Your Tax Records from Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, SSN, or other identifying information, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. An identity thief may use your SSN to get a job or may file a tax return using your SSN to receive a refund.

To reduce your risk:

● Protect your SSN,

● Ensure your employer is protecting your SSN, and

● Be careful when choosing a tax preparer.

If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter.

If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, contact the IRS Identity Theft Hotline at 1-800-908-4490 or submit Form 14039.

For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance.

Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a system problem, or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the TAS toll-free case intake line at 1-877-777-4778 orTTY/TDD 1-800-829-4059.

Protect yourself from suspicious emails or phishing schemes. Phishing is the creation and use of email and websites designed to mimic legitimate business emails and websites. The most common act is sending an email to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft.

The IRS does not initiate contacts with taxpayers via emails. Also, the IRS does not request personal detailed information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts.

If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward this message tophishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at:spam@uce.govor contact them atwww.ftc.gov/idtheftor1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338).

Visit IRS.gov to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk.

Privacy Act Notice

Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code requires you to provide your correct TIN to persons (including federal agencies) who are required to file information returns with the IRS to report interest, dividends, or certain other income paid to you; mortgage interest you paid; the acquisition or abandonment of secured property; the cancellation of debt; or contributions you made to an IRA, Archer MSA, or HSA. The person collecting this form uses the information on the form to file information returns with the IRS, reporting the above information. Routine uses of this information include giving it to the Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation and to cities, states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. commonwealths and possessions for use in administering their laws. The information also may be disclosed to other countries under a treaty, to federal and state agencies to enforce civil and criminal laws, or to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism. You must provide your TIN whether or not you are required to file a tax return. Under section 3406, payers must generally withhold a percentage of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not give a TIN to the payer. Certain penalties may also apply for providing false or fraudulent information.

IMPORTANT: This Letter of Transmittal or a manually signed facsimile thereof (together with certificates for Shares and all other required documents) or in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent’s Message, or the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery must be received by the Depositary prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on November 20, 2015 (or if the offer is extended, the expiration as extended), at the appropriate address set forth below:

The Depositary for the Offer is:

AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC

Facsimile Copy Number: (718) 234-5001

Confirm by Telephone: (718) 921-8317

For Account Information Call:

AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER &

TRUST COMPANY, LLC

Toll Free: (877) 248-6417

Depository Address, by Mail or Overnight Courier:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company

Operations Center

Attn: Reorganization Department

6201 15^th Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11219

Any questions or requests for assistance or additional copies of this Letter of Transmittal, the Fund’s Offer to Purchase, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and other accompanying materials may be directed to the Information Agent at its telephone number and location listed below. Stockholders may also contact their broker, commercial bank or trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.

The Information Agent for the Offer is:

AST FUND SOLUTIONS LLC

Toll Free: (866) 416-0553