Corporate Issuers Rate Shareholder Services Firms in Group Five Study

Corporate issuers rate satisfaction with shareholder services firms in Group Five 2010 Study - Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, Computershare, Venio, and Morrow & Co. are highest rated

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Group Five

Nov 01, 2010, 02:00 ET

PRINCETON, N.J., Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Group Five, a consulting and corporate services research company, today announced the results of its annual study of corporate opinions of services provided by shareholder services firms. The annual study, which has been measuring client satisfaction since 1990, is based on the completed surveys of 1,006 corporations -- representing over 32 million registered shareowners. The study provides the only reliable and independent forum for corporate clients to make their opinions and priorities known to service providers.

Overall client satisfaction with transfer agents increased six percentage points from last year to 90% favorable. Annual meeting services is still the highest rated transfer agent service at 97% favorable, which is four percentage points higher than last year. Satisfaction with client websites is the lowest rated transfer agent service at 82%, also a four percentage point improvement from 2009.

Transfer Agent Services

Industry satisfaction is 90% favorable which is the highest rating in the last ten years. Wells Fargo Shareowner Services is the highest rated transfer agent with a 94% favorable rating which is a two point increase over 2009. Computershare, the highest rated of the two largest transfer agents, increased client satisfaction by nine points to 90% favorable.

Kathy Huston, Managing Partner, Group Five pointed out, "The high client satisfaction ratings demonstrate that the two largest transfer agents have finally emerged from the effects of the massive industry consolidation of the last few years."

Todd May, Head of Wells Fargo Shareowner Services said, "We are pleased that this rating reflects our service-oriented approach to issuers and shareholders alike. A true testament of our team's commitment to service quality is that we continue to improve on already high ratings, even through strong year-over-year growth. This year's study demonstrates that as we grow our client base, our tradition of providing personalized service continues. And, now more than ever, clients value our focus on rigid balancing, controls, and keen eye on information security and risk mitigation."

"We are very excited about the large number of our clients who responded to this year's survey to register their satisfaction with our services – we appreciate their feedback to ensure we are focusing on their wants and needs," said Jay McHale, President of US Equity Services for Computershare. "The 90% favorable rating is a reflection of our commitment to service excellence and consistently high quality, as well as our unmatched product offerings and incredible staff. We continue to develop new and innovative solutions to benefit our clients and their shareholders, and look forward to providing even more products and greater integrated value to our corporate clients in the years ahead."

Lost Shareholder Services

This year's study also asked corporate clients to rate their satisfaction with the services of lost shareholder and asset reunification service providers. Of the six firms rated by corporate clients Venio is highest rated with a 93% favorable rating. "This rating by our customers is a tribute to the hard work and 'shareholder first' mentality of the entire Venio team. We're excited to have our dedication to superior client and shareholder service recognized by the marketplace, and we're delighted that our clients and their shareholders continue to receive best-in-class service from the Venio Team," said Mike O'Donnell, CEO, Venio.

Proxy Solicitation Services

In addition to transfer agent and lost shareholder services, the study asked corporate clients to rate their satisfaction with their proxy solicitation firm. Morrow and Co. is the highest rated proxy solicitor with a 98% favorable rating. Joe Morrow, CEO of Morrow and Co. said: "The Group Five results are extremely gratifying, especially as we begin our 39th season as a full-service proxy solicitation firm. Our policy is to hire college graduates and train them as professionals and develop a culture dedicated to providing superior service to our clients, the lifeblood of our organization. Our top 25 professionals have been servicing our clients for 20 years or more -- a special thank you to all our clients who made this possible."

Group Five is a consulting and customer research firm located in Princeton, New Jersey. The firm is best known for its consulting and research expertise in shareholder services and stock plan administration services.

No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in this release or Group Five survey results without the express prior written consent of Group Five, Inc.

www.groupfiveinc.com

SOURCE Group Five