PRESS RELEASE                                      SOURCE: First Trust Strategic
                                                             High Income Fund II

FIRST TRUST STRATEGIC HIGH INCOME FUND II ANNOUNCES PLAN FOR TENDER OFFER

WHEATON, IL - (BUSINESS WIRE) - August 17, 2017 - First Trust Strategic High
Income Fund II (NYSE: FHY) (the "Fund") announced today that the Fund's Board of
Trustees has approved the commencement (subject to certain conditions) prior to
or during the week of August 28, 2017, of a cash tender offer for up to 15% of
the Fund's outstanding common shares of beneficial interest at a price per share
equal to 98% of the Fund's net asset value ("NAV") per share. The Fund will
repurchase shares tendered and accepted in the tender offer in exchange for
cash.

The commencement of the tender offer is pursuant to an agreement between the
Fund and Saba Capital Management, L.P. ("Saba") and certain associated parties.
Pursuant to the agreement, Saba has agreed to be bound by certain standstill
covenants until January 20, 2020.

The Fund has been advised that Saba will file a copy of the agreement with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") as an exhibit to its Schedule
13D.

TENDER OFFER STATEMENT

      The above statements are not intended to constitute an offer to
participate in the tender offer. Information about the tender offer, including
its commencement, will be announced via future press releases. Shareholders will
be notified in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, either
by publication or mailing or both. The tender offer will be made only by an
offer to purchase, a related letter of transmittal, and other documents to be
filed with the SEC. Shareholders of the Fund should read the offer to purchase
and tender offer statement and related exhibits when those documents are filed
and become available, as they will contain important information about the
tender offer. These and other filed documents will be available to investors for
free both at the website of the SEC and from the Fund.


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CONTACT:  Jeff Margolin - (630) 765-7643
SOURCE: First Trust Strategic High Income Fund II