How Did You Achieve ESI’s Circle of Excellence?

From Dan Wolodkiewicz, Pinnacle Financial Associates and Circle of Excellence Member

We began our journey to achieve Circle of Excellence (COE) 24 years ago, when the decision was made to begin a new career in the financial service industry. The “we” is the most important aspect in achieving COE. That “we” is my best friend/wife, Janet. Ironically, my previous career included working for Marathon Oil Company. Getting started in this business is the easy part, staying in the business is a “marathon”. Everyone who is successful in this business has their own unique story of those first five years! Those years can be brutal, and without the love and support of Janet, we would not be COE. Almost 9 years ago, we added a new “team member”, one of our 3 sons, Alex, joined Pinnacle Financial Associates to take us to “the next level”. Maybe in the near future, COE will be recognizing the top ESI Teams too.

One of our best practices is setting “SMART” goals. Whether it’s setting a goal to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, have team production of $1,000,000 GDC, or be recognized as one of the top 5 Teams at ESI, we set Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant and Time-bound goals.

Our “goal-minded” attitude pours over to our client relationships and the financial planning process. It really does work well; it provides focus and SMART goals can provide clarity for our clients. Whether their goal is to have mortgage paid off by retirement or set a timeline for them to transition their business to a new partner, the SMART goal is a process we use to lead them along their financial planning journey.

Here is an example:

Specific: Achieve Circle of Excellence (COE)

Measurable: Be in the top 25 Reps at ESI

Attainable: What was your previous year GDC, and where was COE cutoff…set your GDC goal

Relevant: COE recognition & annual renewal fees paid by ESI

Time-bound: GDC target by December 31st

How will you achieve your SMART goals?

Congratulations to Pinnacle Financial Associates for their ongoing success, and thank you for sharing!

*Circle of Excellence membership is based on 2022 production. Credits have been adjusted to comply with the Massachusetts Fiduciary Rule. 

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The Debt Ceiling is Somewhere Up There…

From Maple Capital Management

By now, you have probably been hearing a lot about the debt ceiling.  Democrats and Republicans are arguing about how to resolve the issue and it seems likely to remain a contentious matter for much of this year.  But what is the debt ceiling and why is it important?  Here’s a quick refresher on the topic.

The debt ceiling, also known as the statutory limit on government debt, is a legislative limit set by Congress on the amount of debt the federal government is allowed to accumulate. The debt ceiling acts as a cap on the total amount of debt that the federal government can legally borrow to finance its spending and obligations. Click here to read more.

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Revenue Sharing Disclosure Update

In accordance with the annual update requirement of DOL Rule 408(b)(2), ESI has posted its updated revenue sharing arrangement disclosure document to its public website (www.equity-services.com).  Clients who sponsor ERISA-governed accounts will receive a notification in the mail announcing the update and how to obtain additional information.

Client Mailing
A notification of the update will be mailed to all sponsors of ERISA-governed accounts (click here for sample letter).  This letter serves solely as a notification that there’s been an update to the Firm’s disclosures and where the information can be found.  There is no action necessary on the part of the recipients or Registered Representatives.

Clients with questions are directed to their Representative.

Questions
If you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact ESI Compliance at 800-344-7437.

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Updates from Touchstone Investments

From Touchstone Investments

Touchstone Anti-Benchmark® International Core Equity Fund Updates
IMPORTANT NOTICE

Touchstone Anti-Benchmark International Core Equity Fund
Liquidation Notice – March 30, 2023

 At a meeting held on February 16, 2023, the Touchstone Board of Trustees (“The Board”) approved a plan to close and liquidate the Touchstone Anti-Benchmark International Core Equity Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is expected to close and liquidate on or about March 30, 2023 (the “Liquidation Date”).

TA#Touchstone Fund NameCUSIPTICKER
6702Anti-Benchmark International Core Equity Fund Class Y89155T573TYBAX
6705Anti-Benchmark International Core Equity Fund Inst Class89155T565TIABX
  • The Fund is immediately closed to new accounts.
  • The Fund will be closed to new and subsequent investments effective on Trade Date March 13, 2023.
  • At any time prior to the Liquidation Date, shareholders may redeem shares of the Fund.
  • At any time prior to the Liquidation Date, shareholders may exchange their shares of the Fund for shares in another Touchstone Fund, subject to the minimum investment account requirements and other restrictions on exchanges as described in the applicable Fund’s prospectus.
  • Shares remaining in the Fund on the Liquidation Date will automatically be redeemed for cash and the proceeds remitted to the shareholder of record. The liquidation of Fund shares will generally be a taxable event.
  • Any applicable CDSC on redemptions from the Fund will be waived effective February 17, 2023.
  • Additional details including NSCC trading and fund distributions (if any) will be provided closer to the Liquidation Date.

Should you have any questions, DTCC participant firms are invited to call BNY Mellon Broker Dealer Services at 1-877-332-2371. For any fund direct business or fund related inquiries, please contact Touchstone Shareholder Services at 1-800-543-0407.

FOR BROKER DEALER USE ONLY

TOUCHSTONE FUNDS GROUP TRUST
Touchstone Anti-Benchmark® International Core Equity Fund
(the “Fund”)

Supplement dated February 17, 2023 to the Fund’s Summary Prospectus, Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), each dated January 27, 2023, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time

At a meeting of the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Touchstone Funds Group Trust held on February 16, 2023, the Board approved a plan to close and liquidate the Fund. The Fund is expected to be closed and liquidated on or about March 30, 2023 (the “Liquidation Date”). In making its decision, the Board carefully considered the recommendation by the Fund’s investment adviser, Touchstone Advisors, Inc. (“Touchstone”), to close and liquidate the Fund due to factors including the Fund’s small size and limited growth potential.

Accordingly, the Fund will be closed to new accounts immediately. The Fund will be closed to new and subsequent investments effective as of the close of business on March 10, 2023, except that the Fund may continue to accept systematic contributions from defined contribution and similar plans until suchtime as it is administratively feasible to terminate these arrangements or the Liquidation Date, whichever is sooner.

At any time prior to the Liquidation Date, shareholders may redeem shares of the Fund or exchange their shares of the Fund for shares in other Touchstone Funds, subject to minimum investment account requirements, other restrictions on exchanges and any sales load differentials as described in the applicable Touchstone Fund’s prospectus. Any contingent deferred sales charges applicable to the redemption of Fund shares will be waived.

If you still hold shares of the Fund on the Liquidation Date, your shares will be automatically redeemed for cash and the proceeds will be remitted to you (via check or wire) based on the instructions listed on your account. The sale or liquidation of your shares will generally be a taxable event. You should consult your personal tax advisor concerning your particular tax situation.

If you hold Fund shares in a Touchstone IRA or Coverdell ESA and we do not receive instructions on the disposition of your shares by the Liquidation Date, Fund shares held in your IRA or Coverdell ESA will be exchanged into shares of the Touchstone Ultra Short Duration Fixed Income Fund and such exchange will not be a tax-reportable event.

As shareholders redeem shares of the Fund between the date of this Supplement and the Liquidation Date, the Fund may not be able to continue to invest its assets in accordance with its stated investment goal and other investment policies. Accordingly, the Fund may deviate from its stated investment goal and other investment policies during the period between the date of this Supplement and the Liquidation Date.

Following the Liquidation Date, all references to the Fund will be removed from the Prospectus and the SAI.

*****

Please contact your financial advisor or Touchstone at 800.543.0407 if you have any questions.

P.O. Box 9878 · Providence, RI 02940-8078
Ph: 800.543.0407 · TouchstoneInvestments.com

Touchstone Funds are distributed by Touchstone Securities, Inc.*
*A registered broker-dealer and member FINRA and SIPC
A Member of Western & Southern Financial Group
Please retain this Supplement for future reference.


Touchstone Dynamic Allocation Fund Updates

 TOUCHSTONE STRATEGIC TRUST
Touchstone Dynamic Allocation Fund (the “Fund”)

Supplement dated February 24, 2023 to the Prospectus, Summary Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) dated April 29, 2022, as supplemented from time to time

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE FUND

Proposed Reorganization

On February 16, 2023, the Board of Trustees of the Touchstone Strategic Trust (“Trust”) approved converting the Fund into an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) by the reorganization of the Fund into a new ETF, which upon filing and regulatory approval will be a newly-created fund in the Touchstone family of funds, (the “Reorganization”). The Fund’s shareholders will be required to approve the Reorganization. Additional information about the ETF will be available on or about March 13, 2023.

A proxy statement/prospectus containing more information regarding the Reorganization will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and once effective, will be mailed to Fund shareholders in the second quarter of 2023. A special meeting of the Fund’s shareholders is expected to be held in the third quarter of 2023 (the “Special Meeting”), at which shareholders of record of the Fund will be asked to vote on the proposal to approve the Reorganization. If the Reorganization is approved by Fund shareholders at the Special Meeting and subject to certain additional conditions, the Reorganization is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2023. Expenses associated with the Reorganization will be borne by Touchstone Advisors, Inc.

The foregoing is not an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, any shares in connection with the Reorganization, nor is it a solicitation of any proxy.

Please retain this Supplement for future reference.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Touchstone Mutual Fund Conversion to Exchange-Traded Fund Q4 2023

 Touchstone Dynamic Allocation Fund

TA#Touchstone Mutual Fund NameCUSIPTICKER
3067Dynamic Allocation Fund Class A89154Q307TSMAX
3068Dynamic Allocation Fund Class C89154Q406TSMCX
3086Dynamic Allocation Fund Class Y89154Q505TSMYX

On February 16, 2023, the Board of Trustees of the Touchstone Strategic Trust (“Trust”) approved converting the Touchstone Dynamic Allocation Fund (the “Fund”) into an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) by the reorganization of the Fund into a new ETF, which upon filing and regulatory approval will be a newly-created fund in the Touchstone family of funds, (the “Reorganization”). The Fund’s shareholders will be required to approve the Reorganization. Additional information will be available on or about March 13, 2023.

A Special Meeting of Shareholders is expected to be held (the “Special Meeting”), at which shareholders of the Target Fund will be asked to vote on the proposal to approve the Reorganization. The Reorganization is expected to be tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Touchstone will distribute more details on the expected share class collapse and subsequent reorganization and in the coming months ahead of the event.

Should you have any questions, DTCC participant firms are invited to call BNY Mellon Broker Dealer Services at 877-332-2371. For any fund direct business or fund related inquiries, please contact Touchstone Shareholder Services at 800-543-0407.

FOR BROKER DEALER USE ONLY

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RREEF Property Trust Update

As of February 23, 2023, RREEF Property Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) has received share redemption requests during the quarter ending March 31, 2023 in excess of the limit of 5% of the Company’s combined net asset value (“NAV”) as of December 31, 2022. Pursuant to the terms of the Company’s share redemption plan (the “Share Redemption Plan”), all redemption requests received during the quarter prior to February 23, 2023 were satisfied 100% on a first-come, first-served basis. Redemption requests received on February 23, 2023 were satisfied on a pro rata basis without regard to share class such that aggregate redemptions during the quarter ending March 31, 2023 did not exceed the limit of 5% of the Company’s combined NAV as of December 31, 2022. As a result of reaching the quarterly redemption volume limitation under the Share Redemption Plan, the Company will no longer accept additional redemption requests until April 1, 2023. All unsatisfied redemption requests received during the quarter ending March 31, 2023 must be resubmitted on or after April 1, 2023 to be accepted.


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Congratulations to ESI’s Circle of Excellence Members for 2023

Reserved for our top twenty-five producers, membership in the ESI Circle of Excellence* represents dedication, knowledge, and exceptional success! Congratulations to our 2023 members!

Rich Kelly

Steve Simon

Chuck Creighton

Mark Vosk

Justin Paine

Paul Sortino

Tyler Degeneffe

Travis Ramsdell

Dominick Citera

Dan Streeter

Dan Wolodkiewicz

Nico Riverso

WM Nzambi

Jeffrey Friedrich

Mike Castillo

Don Reutemann

Alan Fishman

Scott Maitland

Scott Levin

James Muro

William D’Angelo

John Stephens

Patrick Stephens

Gary Liskow

Jay Maffe

*Circle of Excellence membership is based on 2022 production. Credits have been adjusted to comply with the Massachusetts Fiduciary Rule. 

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In case you missed it…eSignature Update and HSA Registration

eSignature Update
Effective immediately eSignature can be utilized through Docupace/DocuSign for Allianz business in the state of New York. All paperwork available in Docupace for Allianz can now be electronically signed, without any state level restriction.

The current list of all eSign approved vendors can be found here.

If you have any questions, please call 800-344-7437 or email DocupaceSupport@nationallife.com.

New HSA Registration Available for NFS New Account Opening
To continue the enhancement of the guided account opening within Docupace, we’ve added the ability to create Health Savings Accounts (HSA) via the current NFS New Account tile. In addition, new accounts for the NFS – Health Savings Account registration type can be opened immediately via the New Account Opening integration between Docupace and NFS. This is especially useful when you need the new account number to rollover an existing HSA.

For information regarding the use of the New Account Opening integration, please refer to the following guides:

Initializing a Token for the NFS Account Opening Integration

NFS Account Opening

If you have any questions, please call 800-344-7437 or email DocupaceSupport@nationallife.com.

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New Technology Resources

ESI’s newest technology partner, Riskalyze, has created a new resource just for ESI Reps that includes case studies, white papers, training, support contacts and an overview of all of the technology integrations Riskalyze supports. Click here to visit the resource page. To learn more about all of ESI’s technology offering, log in to the agent portal and go to Tools – ESI Business Tools – ESI Technology Platform.

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Team Reports Now Available on the Agent Portal

As we communicated previously, ESI has been building out a program to support Reps who are part of a formalized team. As part of that program, we’ve now added the following reports to ESI’s Leaderboard on the NL agent portal:

These new reports are available on the agent portal under Compensation – Incentives.

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Fixed Rate CDs – Cash Alternative through AAM Fixed Income

Now that interest rates have increased, there can be more attractive cash alternatives than bank savings accounts.  AAM is ESI’s primary fixed income distributor and has an inventory of fixed rate CDs with varying maturities.  There could be interest penalties if the CDs are redeemed prior to maturity.  To access the inventory of fixed rate CDs, go to www.aamlive.com , >Investment Solutions>Fixed Income>Yield Grid>CD.

For additional details on CDs, click here.

AAM Fixed Income Sales Desk: 866-606-7220.

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