Below is important information regarding the 2024 Annual Renewal process. With the end of the year fast approaching, it is time to start thinking about annual renewals. Important dates and changes are all outlined below.

Renewal Timeline
Key dates for the 2023 renewal period are as follows:

• October 9: Renewal packets will be emailed to the registered representatives directly from ESI Licensing the week of October 9^th.   Registered representatives should promptly complete their packet and return it to ESI Licensing by the deadline. (More information on this is given below).
  
• November 15: Renewal Deadline
  All renewal packets must be received at ESI by November 15, 2023.  RRs who do not return a complete renewal packet and payment by the deadline may not be renewed.
  
• November 30: Termination Notices sent to RRs
  The Firm will send 30-day termination notices to RRs who did not renew by the November 15^th deadline.  Termination from ESI will be effective December 31, 2023.
  
• December 15: Deadline for Termination Requests
  CRD shuts down for 2023 on December 26, 2023 at 6pm (EST) for year-end reconciliation.  Termination requests must be received no later than December 15, 2023 to allow for processing prior to CRD’s shut down.  Any requests received after CRD shuts down will not take effect until after January 2, 2024, and any renewal fees paid will not be refunded.
  
• December 31: Effective date for terminations
  
• January 17, 2024: Final Renewal Invoices emailed to Office Managers

Important Notes for 2024 Renewals
Important points to keep in mind for the 2024 renewal period are as follows:

• Packets will follow the same format as previous years’. Packets will include the invoice, payment options, and options for partial or full termination. All registered persons must complete the annual Registered Representative Questionnaire through Star Compliance.
  
• Reps should create an account or log in to existing FinPro accounts to ensure accuracy of the information to which they attest on Star Compliance.
  
• RRs that become registered with ESI between October 1, 2023 and year-end will be required to pay the applicable renewal fees for 2024, in addition to their registration fees, at the time of registration.  ESI Licensing is available to assist the Office Manager to determine the total amount due for these scenarios. 
  
• Mode of payment must be included with the RR’s renewal. Failure to pay fees by the renewal deadline (November 15th) may result in the RR’s termination for failure to renew.
  
• If an RR is paying via check, they can scan and email their packet back WITH a copy of the check, to ESI Licensing directly at ESI_Licensing@nationallife.com. They do not need to send the original packet, but MUST send the original check to ESI Licensing at the home office. (Checks should clearly indicate the name of the rep to apply payment to).
  
• RRs that request to have their renewal fees deducted from their commissions must have sufficient commissions available.  Pending business will not be considered as part of a RR’s commissions. After selecting that payment option they can scan and email their packet back to ESI Licensing directly at ESI_Licensing@nationallife.com. They do not need to mail the original. If the RR does not have sufficient commissions available, a check must be included with their renewal packet to cover their fees.
  
• If an RR is paying online with credit card, RR MUST include a copy of their receipt/confirmation page with their renewal packet for proof of payment.  Payments can be made in the Agent Payment Center on the NL website.  Chose “Equity Services, Inc” for Payment Type.  DO NOT combine a renewal payment with any other payments for other items.
  
• If considering terminating one or more state securities registrations, reps must remember they are required to be securities registered in each of their securities customers resident states. In addition, they are required to be variable insurance licensed AND securities registered in each state in which they solicit insurance products.

Tips for a Successful Renewal Packet
To avoid any confusion or delays, please be sure that all renewal packets are complete.

• Return all pages to ESI as well as a mode of payment.
  
• Ensure rep’s name is provided on any checks submitted for payment.
  
• Please forward packets to ESI Licensing, with payment, as you receive them back. Do not wait until all are collected at the very end to send together. This helps ensure timely processing of renewals, and also helps ensure reps’ commissions are debited in a timely manner, if that is the mode of payment they choose.

Questions may be directed to ESI Licensing at ESI_Licensing@nationallife.com.

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From Touchstone Investments:

IMPORTANT NEW CONVERSION DATE
Touchstone Mutual Fund Conversion to Exchange-Traded Fund Q4 2023
Touchstone Dynamic Allocation Fund

The Special Meeting of Shareholders on October 2, 2023 has been adjourned to October 27, 2023 (the “Special Meeting”). Certain dates in connection with the Reorganization have been changed as noted in the table below to reflect a delay in the Reorganization.

On February 16, 2023, the Board of Trustees of the Touchstone Strategic Trust (“Trust”) approved converting the Touchstone Dynamic Allocation Fund (the “Target Fund”) into an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) by the reorganization of the Fund into a new ETF (“Acquiring Fund”), 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.

TA#	Existing Touchstone Fund Name	CUSIP	TICKER
3067	Dynamic Allocation Fund Class A	89154Q307	TSMAX
3068	Dynamic Allocation Fund Class C	89154Q406	TSMCX
3086	Dynamic Allocation Fund Class Y	89154Q505	TSMYX

• The Reorganization is expected to be tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
• In connection with the Reorganization, the Target Fund closed to new shareholders on May 15, 2023 and was closed to new purchases on September 29, 2023.
• After the Reorganization, shareholders may only purchase or sell shares of the Acquiring ETF on a national securities exchange at prevailing market prices through a broker-dealer.
• The Target Fund is sub-advised by Wilshire Associates Incorporated (“Wilshire”). The Acquiring ETF will be sub-advised by Los Angeles Capital Management LLC (“Los Angeles Capital”).

Effective Date (COB)	Conversion Events	Impact to Shareholders
9/29/2023	The Fund closed to new purchases	Purchase orders for trade dates 10/2/23 and beyond will not be accepted
11/1/2023	IRA/CESA accounts which have not moved to a Brokerage Account will be exchanged to the appropriate share class of the Touchstone Ultra Short Duration Fixed Income Fund.	If no action is taken prior to this date, all IRA and CESA accounts will be automatically exchanged to an appropriate share class of the Touchstone Ultra Short Duration Fixed Income Fund.
11/10/2023	Publicly available share classes will be consolidated into one share class.	Share classes will automatically consolidate into the Y share class.
11/15/2023	Last trade date to redeem shares of the Fund via NSCC.	Final trade date to redeem shares of the mutual fund or exchange shares for another mutual fund via NSCC.
11/17/2023	Reverse stock split occurs for the Y share class.	The total dollar value of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund will not change but the amount of shares owned will change.
11/20/2023	Last trade date to redeem shares of the Fund.	Final trade date to redeem shares of the mutual fund or exchange shares for another mutual fund.
11/27/2023	Fractional share liquidation.	Shareholders will receive a small amount of proceeds representing any fractional shares owned. This payment is taxable.
12/1/2023	Conversion from mutual fund to ETF.	Conversion from the Dynamic Allocation Fund to the

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.

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FOR BROKER DEALER USE ONLY

P.O. Box 534467 ● Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4467
ph 800.543.0407 ● fax 508.599.4066 ● TouchstoneInvestments.com
Touchstone Securities, Inc. ● Member FINRA and SIPC

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Join this ESI Social Media Compliance Webinar hosted by Jenna Simanskas, AVP Marketing & Communications, and Dan Hart, Compliance Advisor. We will review the ESI Social Media Policy’s main points and then respond to questions. Let’s discuss efficient practices to comply with the ESI policy as you connect with your audience.

You are invited to a Zoom webinar:

Please Register HERE
When: Oct 18, 2023 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: ESI Social Media Compliance
Click Here To Register

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

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